The family of a young girl who was about to start a new school year has been left devastated by her sudden death after she suffered a brain bleed and died in her sleep.
Zali June Breitkreutz died at home in Townsville in North Queensland last Monday.
The eight-year-old was due to start Year 4 at St Anthony’s Catholic College this month.
It’s understood Zali complained of a mild headache on the day of her death but showed no other symptoms.
Her cause of death was determined to be a type of stroke known as an intracerebral haemorrhage.
Her devastated family are preparing for her funeral which will be held at The Lakes Chapel at Morley’s Funeral Home in West End on Thursday at 2pm.
Zali June Breitkreutz (pictured), 8, died after she suffered a brain bleed while she was asleep
Zali’s father Sean Breitkreutz told Daily Mail it was difficult to put into words the impact his daughter’s death has had on the family.
‘I just don’t know what to say,’ Mr Breitkreutz said.
‘It’s simply a tragedy.’
Mr Breitkreutz put up a heartbreaking post on Facebook in the days following his daughter’s death to announce her passing, describing her as a ‘ray of sunshine’.
‘Zali was always singing, cartwheeling and making us laugh. Driving us crazy, setting us off and pushing our buttons were a daily routine,’ he wrote.
‘The past days have been a little darker (and a lot quieter) without her shining light, though we are blessed to still have her brother Tanner by our side.
‘We have received so much love and support from our nearest and dearest who have made the last few days slightly easier for us.’
Zali was an aspiring teacher and was a mad fan of NRL team the North Queensland Cowboys.
Her grandfather Paul uploaded a picture of her in a Cowboys jersey posing with star player Valentine Holmes.
The family of the eight -year-old schoolgirl have been left shattered by her death (pictured from left to her right, parents Sean and Courtney Breitkreutz, Zali, and brother Tanner)
Sean Breitkreutz (left) described his daughter (right) as a ‘ray of sunshine’ in a heartbreaking post on social media following Zali’s death
Mr Breitkreutz said Zali showed no signs that she had any symptoms of the deadly condition.
‘There was nothing that could be done, no symptoms, just a minor headache,’ he told Daily Mail.
Attendees of Zali’s funeral have been asked to wear something bright to the service and a wake will be held at the Brothers Leagues Club in Kirwan from 5pm.
Intracerebral haemorrhage is a type of bleeding in the brain tissue which is caused by high blood pressure.
The condition causes blood to be released into the brain, eventually leading to a stroke.
The disease can be treated by removing a clot that forms in the brain, reducing the amount of pressure that is built up.
However, the damage caused by the illness can be long term.
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