Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz: Funeral held for eight-year-old Rockhampton boy

Family and friends gathered on Thursday for the funeral of a young Rockhampton boy allegedly murdered by his own mother. More details have emerged about his tragic death.

Mystery has surrounded the death of Rockhampton boy Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz and how long it was before police found his little body.

Rockhampton police conducted a welfare check at the Berkersker home where the eight-year-old and his mother lived at 2.20am on July 30 and found the boy, now known to be Zion, to be unresponsive.

In court documents, police alleged Zion may have died during the later hours of Friday, July 29, however a funeral notice published for Zion this week stated he “passed away unexpectedly on Thursday 28 July, 2022” – two days before police found him at his home.

Police at the time were unable to answer why they were doing the welfare check and Zion’s time of death was never confirmed.

His mother, Louwanna Thyra Goltz, 36, was arrested on July 30 and taken to Rockhampton Hospital for a mental health assessment.

Ms Goltz was charged with the alleged murder of her son that afternoon and was taken to the Rockhampton Watchhouse.

It is alleged in court documents she murdered Zion by strangulation.

She has since had one court hearing where she was refused bail and has now been moved to Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre, awaiting another court date on October 26.

Zion’s death was reported to the Coroners Court of Queensland, due its suspicious circumstances.

An autopsy was carried out before his body could be released to family members for a funeral.

It appears the autopsy has revealed that he may have died on Thursday, July 28.

Queensland Police Service and the Coroner were unable to comment as the matter was before the courts.

Zion’s funeral was held on August 17 at the Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle in North Rockhampton.

The funeral notice stated he was the “dearly loved son of Louwanna Goltz. Much loved brother of Shayla, Brian, Katiesha, Ziggy and William. Loved grandson of Vanessa Ross, William Goltz (dec), Les Freeman. Cherished nephew, cousin and friend.”

Family asked for donations to Autism Awareness Australia in lieu of flowers.

Zion was understood to have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

The funeral notice had no mention of Zion’s biological father, Timmothy O’Haloran.

Zion had been in foster care for the first seven years of his life and was placed back in the care of his mother 12 months ago.

Originally published as Zion Ziggy Sean Goltz: Funeral held for eight-year-old Rockhampton boy