Vigil for slain girl as community embraces stricken dad

A shocked community is rallying around a grieving academic after his young daughter was allegedly murdered by his wife. Floral tributes have been laid and a candlelight vigil has been organised amid a public outpouring of grief for 10-year-old Sophie Wang on the Gold Coast. Yun Wang raised the alarm when he found Sophie dead at their Emerald Lakes home in Carrara on Tuesday night. Dr Wang, a university professor, could reportedly be heard screaming by neighbours after discovering the body. Paramedics attempted to revive the girl but she was declared dead at the "incredibly confronting" scene. "This is absolutely sickening, gut-wrenching, awful," Queensland Premier Steven Miles said of the incident. "I just can't imagine how that father felt and hearing the reports of him screaming - nobody would ever wish that on him." Sophie's mother, 46-year-old Yingying Xu, was arrested in a nearby street hours later and charged with murder. Xu was remanded in custody after her case was raised in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday. Her matter was adjourned until November 29. "Police are continuing to investigate the motive of the alleged homicide, including social media activity of the accused," police said. Flowers have been left outside the home, which remains a crime scene, as locals try to come to terms with the horrific news. The local community will gather to remember Sophie at an hour-long vigil from 4pm at Emerald Lakes' The Boulevard on Friday. "The whole situation is just terribly sad for everyone," local Kevin Cruikshank told ABC TV after leaving flowers outside Sophie's home on Thursday. "It's very hard ... the family are very much like ours. "You can only imagine what everyone in that family is feeling like. It's just one small token we can do to express our feeling." The fallout over Sophie's death has been felt throughout the community, including the AFL club Gold Coast Suns whose home ground is near Emerald Lakes. "We had an enormous tragedy in the Gold Coast community ... so commiserations from our footy club to all involved," Suns coach Damien Hardwick said. "It's a very sad situation ... we hope everyone gets all the help and support they need." Dr Wang is an associate professor in chemistry and forensic science at Griffith University. His Griffith University profile says he's a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Texas and the University of Sydney. He earned his PhD degree from China's Fudan University. "We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic death of the daughter of a valued member of the Griffith community," a Griffith University spokesperson said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this incredibly difficult time." Sophie's school is offering counselling to students, staff and parents. "Our prayers are with the family, friends, first responders and all affected by the loss of this beloved child in her home," the school said in a statement. Police said the crime scene had been challenging for first responders. "In my 15-year career as a detective, it's one of the most confronting scenes that I have seen," Detective Acting Inspector Kent Ellis said.