Yun Wang, father of Gold Coast girl who was allegedly murdered by mum, revealed as top academic and scientist
Yun Wang, the father of a girl found dead in her home this week, had worked hard to make a good life for his family in Queensland.
A chemistry scientist who studied in Shanghai, China, and Austin, Texas, he became an associate professor in the field before landing at the University of Sydney as a postdoctoral fellow in 2006.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Horrifying details emerge over alleged murder of 10-year-old girl.
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.He spent four years there before taking up an opportunity to move to the Gold Coast to study photocatalysts at Griffith University four years later.
For the next 14 years, his career excelled and his research was published in academic journals, including in 2021 when he was part of a team that created a more efficient and sustainable form of solar cell for energy production.
“Silicon-based solar cells make up 90 per cent of the solar panel market, but next-generation technologies like perovskite solar cells are attracting a great deal of attention because the can be easily manufactured and are highly efficient,” he said of his research.
On Tuesday evening, his world came crashing down when he walked into his Carrara home.
“I just heard him wailing. It was the most horrific sound I have ever heard,” a neighbour told the Courier Mail.
His 10-year-old daughter Sophie Wang was dead, allegedly murdered by having her throat slit in what a 15-year detective described as “one of the most confronting scenes that I have seen”.
The alleged killer was Yun’s wife and Sophie’s mother Yingying Xu, who was arrested some four hours after the discovery on a nearby street.
“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.”
Neighbour Tracey Donovan said the family “kept to themselves”, which was common for residents on the street.
“The street is the quietest street you could imagine. You could hear a pin drop,” she said.
“I’ve never, ever heard anything. It’s a real shock.”
Yun reportedly revisited the scene of his daughter’s death on Wednesday, donning a blue protective forensics suit to take detectives through the home.
Xu remains behind bars having had her charge of murder mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
