EXCLUSIVE
Detectives are investigating religious TikToks a mother accused of slashing her daughter’s throat posted the same day she allegedly killed her.
Yingying Xu, 46, allegedly murdered her daughter Sophie Wang, 10, at their Emerald Lakes home, in Carrara, on the Gold Coast, on Tuesday.
Sophie’s father, Yun Wang, a science professor at Griffith University, arrived home to find his daughter and called triple zero, but despite the best efforts of paramedics, she could not be saved.
Xu, 46, was arrested in a nearby street more than four hours later – at 10.25pm – and has since been charged with murder.
Earlier on Tuesday, Xu posted three videos on TikTok showing her muttering in Chinese about religion.
In the clips, Xu talks about Christianity and how the ‘trinity’ is the ‘only true god’ and ‘Jesus is the incarnate son of man’.
The videos will form part of the investigation into the case, which seasoned detectives have describe as one of the ‘most confronting‘ they have ever seen.
The Year 5 student’s death has rocked the tight-knit local community, including her school Emmanuel College, and which is located just 600 metres from her home.
Amanda, who lives across the street from the Xu-Wang home, described Sophie as a ‘really friendly little girl’.
‘She was in the same class as my grandson. He always spoke about her and they got on very well,’ Amanda told Daily Mail .
‘They were in the orchestra together. My grandson played the violin and she played the piano and the recorder.’
‘I could always hear her playing music from the street.
‘She was always walking to school and back. She was really friendly and would say hi. A really friendly little girl.’
Amanda, who has lived in the area for 12 years, said she didn’t notice anything unusual happening in the street until police officers swarmed the street around 6pm.
It wasn’t until the incident hit the news later that evening that she learned about what had happened.
‘I didn’t know the husband but I saw the wife walking in and out,’ Amanda said.
‘She was very into herself, when you walked past her she didn’t say hello or anything.
‘The whole community is in shock today.’
Members of the community were seen flocking to the home on Wednesday to lay floral tributes outside the home.
Classmate Oliver Hayes, 11, who arrived at the home with his mother and other school friends said Sophie was academically talented.
‘She was one of the smartest kids in our school,’ Oliver told Daily Mail .
‘There’s so many words to describe her. She was very nice, she really cared about people a lot and she was very kind.’
The tragedy has also rattled staff at Griffith University, where Prof Wang works in the chemistry and forensic science department, specialising in renewable energy.
Two male colleagues of Prof Wang’s turned up at the house on Wednesday afternoon with food but were turned away by an officer who told them the father was not there.
The university is offering support to Prof Wang and his close colleagues.
‘We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic death of the daughter of a valued member of the Griffith community,’ the university said in a statement.
‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.’
Emmanuel College Principal Dan Brown earlier penned a school community letter on Wednesday morning to share his condolences.
‘It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of a tragic incident that occurred in a home within Emerald Lakes last night, resulting in the passing of one of our beloved students,’ the letter said.
‘We are devastated by this incident and know it will profoundly impact our school community.
‘Our prayers go out to the family and friends of the child, and we extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.’
Counselling and grief support services have been provided to students.
Detective Acting Inspector Kent Ellis said Queensland Police are keeping the family and the community in their thoughts during this ‘tragic’ and ‘distressing’ time.
First responders who attended the scene are receiving counselling and support.
‘In my 15 years as a detective, it is one of the most confronting scenes I have ever seen,’ Detective Acting Inspector Ellis told reporters on Wednesday.
Mr Ellis would not comment on whether Xu had a history of mental health issues.
The 46-year-old woman was due to face Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning.
She did not appear in person and a police application to have names and details of the case suppressed was later withdrawn after it was opposed by lawyers and media.
Xu was remanded in custody and will next appear on November 29.