Friends and the community have rallied to support the father of a young girl who was allegedly murdered by her own mother on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Sophie Wang, 10, was declared dead by paramedics at her home in Emerald Lakes at Carrara shortly after 6pm on August 13 after she was found by her father, Yun Wang.
The Emmanuel College student’s mother, Yingying Xu, 46, has since been charged with her murder and remains in custody on remand ahead of her bid for bail.
The brutal alleged killing rocked the tight-knit community at Emmanuel College who have since started a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the girl’s father.
Organiser F Sheldon described Sophie as a kind-hearted and ‘dedicated sweetheart at home’, while at school she was known for her compassion and ‘bright spirit’.
‘Sophie had a deep love for reading, music, and all things Harry Potter. Tragically, our beloved little angel Sophie was taken from us,’ the organiser wrote.
‘Her passing has left her family heartbroken and devastated, and her loss is deeply felt by her friends, peers, and the entire community.
‘As Sophie’s family navigates this incredibly difficult time, we invite you to join us in contributing to a fund that will support them in any way possible during this period.’
Emmanuel College student Sophie Wang, 10, was declared dead by paramedics at her home in Emerald Lakes at Carrara shortly after 6pm on August 13
Yingying Xu, 46, has since been charged with Sophie’s murder and remains in custody. Police allege Ms Xu slashed her daughter’s throat before fleeing from the home
Hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil for Sophie at Emerald Lakes main fountain last week
The campaign has so far raised almost $8,000 as of Saturday night ahead of its goal of $20,000, with single donations ranging from $50 to as much as $1,000.
The funds will allow Sophie’s family ‘space to grieve, heal, and begin to rebuild their lives without the immediate pressure of financial burdens’.
The child’s alleged murder has sent shockwaves through the otherwise quiet Gold Coast town, with Detective Acting Inspector Kent Ellis describing the scene as ‘incredibly confronting’ for first responders.
Police allege Ms Xu slashed her daughter’s throat before fleeing from the home. She was later arrested by police in a nearby street more than four hours later.
The campaign comes more than a week after hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil for Sophie at Emerald Lakes main fountain, which included a minute of silence.
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