Schoolgirl identified after allegedly being murdered by mother
Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find upsetting.
The 10-year-old girl who was allegedly murdered by her mother has been identified as Sophie Wang, a young schoolgirl from the Gold Coast.
Wang's mother, 46-year-old Yingying Xu, has been arrested and charged with the violent murder of her daughter.
Detective Acting Inspector Kent Ellis described the crime scene as "incredibly confronting", after Sophie was allegedly killed by having her throat slashed in her Carrara home.
“In my 15-year career as a detective, it’s one of the most confronting things I have seen.”
According to Ellis, it was Sophie's father who found his daughter dead at the scene after he arrived home and called police.
“It was an extremely distressing scene for not only the ... father there, but attending police, and I can understand the significant distress amongst the community,” the detective said.
The woman was arrested on a “nearby street” some four hours after Sophie’s body was found, according to Ellis.
Sophie's death was made public by her school Emmanuel College, who is offering counselling to the school community over the tragic incident.
“The Emmanuel College community is devastated by the tragic passing of one of our students at a home within Emerald Lakes last night,” the school principal Dan Brown said in a statement.
“Our prayers are with the family, friends, first responders and all affected by the loss of this beloved child in her home. Our priority is supporting our community at this difficult time."
“We have mobilised our counselling and pastoral care teams to provide comprehensive support to students, staff and parents as our community comes to terms with this distressing news."
“We ask for understanding and respect for the privacy of our families and students at this time. While words cannot ease the shock and pain of such a tragic loss, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all."
Image credits: Emmanuel College