Community members have gathered at the school of allegedly murdered nine-year-old Charlise Mutten, whose body was discovered on Tuesday following a lengthy search effort.
The candlelight vigil began at 7.15pm on Wednesday night outside Tweed Heads Public School.
Around 150 people attended, undeterred by wind and rainfall as several friends and classmates spoke about their memories of Charlise.
The girl’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.”
On Wednesday, police charged Charlise’s stepfather with murder after finding her body in a barrel in NSW’s Blue Mountains overnight.
She had been on holiday with mother Kallista Mutten and stepdad Justin Laurens Stein at a wedding estate in Mt Wilson when she was reported missing on Friday.
Stein was arrested at a unit in Surry Hills on Tuesday night after allegedly trying to get rid of Charlise’s body.
Those that spoke at the 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.
