Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz remembered by school friends and the community as a beautiful little boy

“He was such a pleasant little fella”: Community mourns the loss of eight-year-old Rockhampton boy and demands answers over his tragic death.

A handwritten note sits in the driveway of Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz’s home, with the words “To Zion, You were one of my best friends. I will miss you dearly”.

The heartbreaking note is from a friend at Berserker Street State School, where Zion will be missed by many other students and teachers.

A heartbreaking message to Zion from a school friend, placed in flowers on the driveway.

Flowers, balloons and stuffed animals have been placed in memory of Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz.

 

More balloons, flowers and stuffed animals have been laid on the driveway in the days after Zion’s tragic alleged murder, as the Rockhampton and wider community comes to terms with the devastating loss of the little eight year old boy.

Zion has been remembered as a beautiful boy who had a bright and bubbly personality that put a smile on many faces.

Neighbours have recalled seeing him ride his electric scooter to school and shop workers have remembered his friendly nature when he used to go shopping with his foster mother.

Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz died in Rockhampton on July 30, 2022.

One education worker wrote on social media: “Zion you were the most gorgeous little man. Your face would brighten my day each time you came into ECDP, and won us all over with that cheeky grin. RIP munchkin.”

Cassie Charles wrote: “RIP Zion. You were a funny, kind little fella. I’m glad my kids and I met you and my son called you his friend. You won’t be forgotten, fly high and be free.”

Bronwyn Chin said: “Rest In Peace Zion, you beautiful little boy. You will be missed greatly and always remembered in our school.”

Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz died in Rockhampton on July 30, 2022.

Lisa Richards wrote: “He was such a pleasant little fella. He was a school friend to my eight year old. My eight year old cried all afternoon yesterday … He was always smiling and always said hello to me at the school.”

Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz.

Zion was pronounced dead just after 2am on Saturday July 30, when police attended the Department of Housing Waterloo Street unit to do a welfare check.

His mother, Louwanna Thyra Goltz, was arrested and charged with the murder of Zion on the same day.

Early reports suggest Zion died from strangulation, however autopsy results are pending.

Ms Goltz has been remanded in custody and will face court again in October, to allow time for paperwork and tests to be done.

Louwanna Thyra Goltz and Zion Ziggy Sean Ross.

Zion is among 238 children in Queensland who have sadly died this year so far.

This figure, recorded from January 1 to July 31, includes children who have died from natural causes, including medical reasons.

The Queensland Family and Child Commission released an annual report in late 2021 of the deaths of children and young people under 18 from July 1, 2020 to July 30, 2021.

In this reporting period, there were 398 children who died, 67 per cent were from natural causes and 86 children and young people died from “external causes”, which is described as causes the government and community can do something about.

Of the 86 children from external causes, there were 31 transport incidents (including motor vehicle accidents), 10 from drowning, 12 from other non-intentional injuries, 30 from suicide and three from fatal assault and neglect.

Another 17 child deaths remained unexplained after comprehensive investigation.

Zion is of First Nations descent and was known to Child Safety as he had been in foster care from birth for the first seven years of his life.

He was placed back in his mother’s care about 12 months before his death, reportedly against advice from family members and his carer.

Of the 398 deaths in 2020-21, 71 in children of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

The annual report states “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were overrepresented in child deaths” and the mortality rate for Indigenous children was 69.6 death per 100,000 Indigenous children aged 0-17 years, compared to 29.6 deaths per 100,000 non-Indigenous children.

Of the 398 total figure, 53 children (14 per cent) were known to Child Safety in the 12 months before they died, including two from fatal assault and neglect, five unexplained deaths, four from suicide and nine in causes pending.

The mortality rate for children known to Child Safety who died from external causes was four times the rate for all children in Queensland.

In the past five years, 30 children have died in 25 fatal assault and neglect incidents, 80 per cent of these deaths were intrafamilial, meaning the alleged perpetrator was a parent, family member or person acting in a parental role.