Mourners have held a candlelit vigil for Charlise Mutten and sent their best wishes to her grandmother’s family.
Among the toys, candles and bouquets of flowers left at the “beautiful girl’s” primary school in Tweed Heads was a note that read: “Rest in peace little lady. May all your grandmother’s family find strength to find peace.”
The tribute to the nine-year-old’s grandparents was a stark reminder of the heartache after Charlise left her grandmother to go on holiday and never came home.
The nine-year-old, whose body was found in a barrel in NSW’s Colo River on Tuesday, had lived with her grandmother in Queensland before her death.
Charlise had been on holiday with her mother Kallista Mutten and stepfather Justin Laurens Stein at a wedding estate in the Blue Mountains when she was reported missing on Friday.
Her stepfather has been charged with her murder.
Charlise’s schoolmates and community members gathered outside Tweed Heads Public School on Wednesday evening.
Around 150 people attended, undeterred by wind and rainfall, as several friends and classmates spoke about their memories of Charlise.
“Charlise has touched many lives on her journey throughout this world especially within the school community, where she was loved,” one friend said.
“Her bright smiling face and her beautiful nature shone as bright as her spirit is now.”
The friend continued: “Some of us knew Charlise well, and some of us are here tonight to just simply acknowledge that she existed, and are deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened.”
“We recognise her having been here made a difference to those who knew and loved her. And we must take this opportunity to keep in our hearts and minds this very special and beautiful girl.”
Charlise’s grandmother was also in attendance, according to those that were there.
Many of the children who went to school with Charlise were in tears at the sudden shock and sadness of losing their classmate.
In a statement, the school described the entire community’s devastation at hearing the news of Charlise’s death.
“Our hearts go out to her family, we cannot begin to imagine the distress they must feel,” the statement said.
“Charlise was a much-loved member of our school who brightened all our days, every day.”
Charlise’s body was found on Tuesday following a lengthy search effort.
Stein was arrested at a unit in Surry Hills on Tuesday night after allegedly trying to get rid of his stepdaughter’s body.
People who spoke at Charlise’s vigil described her as a bright and caring person, always concerned with the welfare of others.
“Today we will be in touch with the Department of Education to explore options to support our students and staff when school resumes,” the school said.
