Community mourns 21yo found dead in unit
Written by admin on August 27, 2024
A woman found dead with stab wounds in a unit in Sydney’s inner-west has been remembered as a daughter, friend and top student who will “never be forgotten”
The Burwood community gathered at the Burwood Pavilion Centre to honour the life of Xiaoting Wang on Tuesday evening after she was found dead in a Conder Street unit in Burwood on August 12.
Emergency services were called to the courtyard of the unit complex just after 8.45am on Monday August 12 following reports of a concern for welfare.
The body of a man was found in a courtyard by officers from Burwood Police Area Command, with police earlier revealing he had injuries to his ankles.
A crime scene was established and an investigation launched.
The man has since been identified as a 21-year-old university student from China.
Shortly after investigators found the body of Ms Wang, a 21-year-old university student from China, in a unit of the building after watching her walk towards the apartment on CCTV.
A second crime scene was established while the unit underwent forensic examination after the woman was found with stab wounds.
A vigil was held for Ms Wang at the Burwood Pavilion Centre at 5pm on Tuesday, where Women and Girls Emergency Centre chief executive officer Nicole Yade said the community’s “hearts are broken”.
“Our hearts are broken. We pause together to breathe we pause to send love and our deepest condolences to Xiaoting’s family and friends,” Ms Yade said.
“As a community we pause to honour Xiaoting.”
Ms Yade invited the community to light a candle and join her in a minute’s silence before inviting Commander of Burwood Police Area Command Superintendent Commander Christine McDonald to speak.
“It’s with mixed emotions that I address you all this afternoon. Honoured to represent Burwood Police Area Command and our dedicated officers. Sad that a young girl’s life was taken in my patch on my watch,” Superintendent McDonald said.
“Frustrated that we couldn’t prevent it. Humbled by the support and togetherness of this wonderful community and motivated to reduce domestic and family violence.
“This afternoon we come together for Xiaoting Wang, a daughter, friend, top student in digital studies.
“Her favourite colour was beige. She loved watching movies and playing Mahjong.
“A Taylor Swift superfan, her favourite song was August.”
Superintendent McDonald said Ms Wang had dreamt of opening a women’s beauty salon with a cafe, and her favourite place to travel was Australia.
“She was just 21-years-old. To Xiaoting ‘s family, on behalf of Burwood Police Area Command, our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family and friends,” she said.
“This should never happen and it is not reflective of the country I was born and raised. Australia is a place of opportunity, fair go, where every citizen has a right and an expectation to feel safe and be safe.
“Girls and women in comparison to other countries around the world can do anything and be anyone here.”
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Superintendent McDonald said her “heart breaks” for Ms Wang’s family, who live in China and were unable to attend the vigil.
“Domestic violence is an epidemic in this country and many around the world. It impacts from the unborn to the elderly and every age group in between. Domestic and family violence does not discriminate, but what it does do is it isolates, intimidates, and denigrates.”
More to come.
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