Hundreds gathered in Tweed Heads to mourn the death of nine-year-old girl Charlise Mutten, who was found dead after being reported missing in the Blue Mountains last week.
The remains of a child, found in a barrel near the Colo River on Tuesday, are said to be "consistent" with Charlise, who was reported missing last Friday.
Her mother's partner, 31-year-old Justin Stein, has been charged with murder over the girl's death.
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Charlise was on holiday in NSW, but lived in Queensland, where her school friends and hundreds of others came together overnight for a vigil.
Attendees spoke of the girl's sense of humour, her kindness, and her love of swimming and butterflies.
Her teachers spoke about how she would always say something nice to them as she came into class, to brighten their days.
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Friends, loved ones and complete strangers shared their grief, with dozens of notes left at the vigil site.
"Dear Charlise, I was in your class in Year 2," one read.
"It makes me really sad what happened to you. You were a really nice person and I wish you were coming back to school with me. Rest in peace."
Another note read, "From a little girl - I hope that you have an amazing time in heaven".
Currumbin MP Laura Gerber said the vigil was a fitting tribute to a "beautiful little girl".
"I think it is a community that is just heartbroken. I think that we are still in a bit of shock," she said.
"You kind of don't think something like this would ever happen in your community.
"I think, more importantly, last night was about the community coming together to try to support other friends, her teachers and everyone who loved her, in their grief and their loss. Because she really did touch so much lives."
She said Education Queensland would be providing targeted support to parents and teachers when school returned.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet described Charlise's death as "devastating".
"It's one of the most difficult conversations you have as premier to hear something like that. As a dad, you feel sick," he told Today.
"It's never easy and the whole thing, I think, is ... incredibly sad and tragic."
Mr Stein appeared in court yesterday, where he was refused bail.
He will return to court on March 18.
