One eight-year-old girl has died suddenly in her sleep after complaining about a 'mild headache' leaving her family absolutely devastated.
Last Monday (5 February), Zali June Breitkreutz - who was getting ready to start Year 4 at St Anthony's Catholic College this month - tragically passed away at her home in Townsville, North Queensland.
The child had reportedly complained of having a headache the day of her sudden death but did not show any other symptoms.
Zali's father, Sean Breitkreutz, opened up about the heartbreaking loss to Daily Mail Australia.
"I just don't know what to say," he said. "It’s simply a tragedy."
A few days after Zali's passing, Breitkreutz shared a heartfelt statement to Facebook to announce the news to their close friends and family.
It read: "Zali was always singing, cartwheeling and making us laugh. Driving us crazy, setting us off and pushing our buttons were a daily routine.
"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's cause of death was determined to be a type of stroke known as an intracerebral haemorrhage, in other words a brain bleed.
Breitkreutz told the outlet that his daughter Zali showed no signs that she had any symptoms of the fatal condition.
"There was nothing that could be done, no symptoms, just a minor headache," he added.
Following her death, the grieving family have been making arrangements for her funeral which took place earlier today at 2 pm (15 February).
Anyone attending the funeral, which took place at The Lakes Chapel at Morley's Funeral Home in West End, have been asked to wear something bright for the service, with a wake being held at the Brothers Leagues Club in Kirwan from 5 pm.
According to the NHS, cerebral haemorrhages happen when a blood vessel inside the skull bursts and bleeds into and around the brain.
The main cause of cerebral haemorrhages is high blood pressure, which can weaken the arteries in the brain and make them more likely to split or rupture.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Sean Breitkreutz
Rhiannon Ingle