‘Heartbreaking’: Sculpture honouring Sophia Naismith stolen from Brighton Beach

Thieves have targeted a sculpture erected honouring the life of a 15-year-old girl whose life was tragically cut short.

A sculpture honouring the life of a young girl killed in horrific circumstances on a western suburbs road has been stolen from Brighton Beach.

Sophia Naismith was tragically cut short when she was struck by a Lamborghini that veered onto the footpath on Morphett Rd, Glengowrie in 2019.

A sculpture – ‘Catching Squid’ – was installed in 2021, funded by the Sophia Naismith Foundation and the City of Holdfast Bay.

Road fatal victim Sophia Naismith. Picture: Supplied by family.

The sculpture 'Catching Squid' – a tribute to 15-year-old Sophia Naismith – has been stolen from Brighton Beach. Picture: Supplied

Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson told ABC Adelaide the council was hopeful the sculpture would be returned.

The sculpture, which was bolted to a rock at Brighton Beach, is thought to have been removed between January 30 and February 7.

Residents took to social media to vent their frustration the tribute was targeted.

“I walk past them every day and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw them missing … heartbreaking,” one said.

“This saddens me, if you know the story please return this tribute to a beautiful young girl whose life was also stolen and show some humanity,” another posted.

Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson said the council was hopeful the sculpture would be returned. Picture: Supplied

Sophia was a talented athlete, accomplished student and caring friend.

Her tragic death in 2019 was met with a public outpouring of grief.

Sophia suffered catastrophic injuries after being struck by a white 2016, $330,000 Lamborghini Huracan – with the personalised number plate “PSYKO” – driven by car enthusiast Alexander Damian Campbell, who was found not guilty of death by dangerous driving in 2022.

She was innocently walking along on a Morphett Rd footpath, Glengowrie, in Adelaide’s south, at 9.48pm on June 22, 2019.

She died instantly from critical head injuries.

Sophia excelled at state volleyball, as well as soccer, netball, rhythmic gymnastics and ballet.

After her deathe, her family created the Sophia Naismith Foundation - a charity aiming to advance education through providing scholarships to students in the areas of health and physical education as well as supporting other local projects that support its primary purpose.

The foundation, which grew from a GoFundMe page in the days after her death, has raised more than $119,000 and has so far helped nine athletes compete nationally.

“Through the generous contributions … these grants can help young athletes compete at their highest levels, build friendships with teammates and strive for their goals and dreams,” Sophia’s dad Luke Naismith said.

“The costs to travel and compete at the highest level can add up quickly and that’s why we’re so happy to be able to support those things.”

Originally published as ‘Heartbreaking’: Sculpture honouring Sophia Naismith stolen from Brighton Beach