“A MONSTER STOLE MY DAUGHTER” — Grieving Mother of Bondi Beach’s Youngest Victim Breaks Her Silence

Speaking through overwhelming pain, the mother of 10-year-old Matilda — the youngest life lost in the Bondi Beach attack — denounced the man responsible in words filled with grief and fierce resolve. Her statement cut through the mourning crowd, insisting Matilda be remembered for her laughter, kindness, and radiant spirit, not for the violence that ended her life. As flowers and tributes continue to grow, the family’s message rings clear and unshakable: Matilda mattered, and her light will endure.

👉 Read more in the comments to see how the community is honoring Matilda

“A MONSTER TOOK MY CHILD”: Mother of 10-Year-Old Bondi Beach Attack Victim Speaks Out in Grief and Defiance

In the shadow of unimaginable loss, Valentyna, the mother of 10-year-old Matilda—the youngest victim of the December 14, 2025, terrorist attack at Bondi Beach—has channeled her profound grief into a powerful condemnation of the violence that stole her daughter’s life. Speaking at a candlelight vigil at Bondi Pavilion on December 16, Valentyna’s voice broke as she described the deliberate act that ended Matilda’s young life, calling the perpetrator a “monster” who targeted an innocent child.

“I can’t imagine what kind of monster was standing on that bridge and seeing a little girl running for her father to hide with him,” Valentyna told the gathered crowd through sobs. “And he just pulled his trigger on her… It wasn’t an accident. It was a bullet just fired on her.” Her words, echoed across multiple reports, captured the raw horror of witnessing her daughter—joyfully celebrating the first night of Hanukkah—gunned down in a place she believed was safe.

Matilda, often remembered with her middle name “Bee” in tributes, was attending the “Chanukah by the Sea” event with her parents, Valentyna and Michael, her six-year-old sister, and friends. The family, Jewish immigrants from Ukraine who fled before Russia’s full-scale invasion, had found refuge in Australia. They named their firstborn Matilda as a loving nod to the country that welcomed them, inspired by the iconic Australian folk song Waltzing Matilda. “We came here from Ukraine… and I named her Matilda because she was our firstborn in Australia,” Michael shared at the vigil. “And I thought that Matilda was the most Australian name that could ever exist.”

Valentyna’s defiance shone through her pain as she reflected on escaping war only to face terror at home. “I couldn’t imagine I would lose my daughter here,” she said, highlighting the betrayal of safety in a nation known for its peace. In an interview with ITV News, she described Matilda as “my sunshine” and “full of life,” adding that closing her eyes brought visions of her daughter “happily running around, and then she was gone.”

The attack, classified by New South Wales Police as a targeted antisemitic terrorist act—the deadliest in Australia’s history—unfolded around 6:40 p.m. when father-and-son gunmen Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly fired military-grade weapons from a footbridge into the festive crowd. Fifteen people were killed, including Matilda, who was rushed to Sydney Children’s Hospital but succumbed to her injuries overnight. Over 40 others were wounded.

Matilda’s family has urged the community to remember her not for the hatred that took her, but for the light she brought. Described by her Russian language teacher, Irina Goodhew, as a “bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,” Matilda loved animals (particularly bees—mourners wore bee stickers at her funeral), school, and her inseparable younger sister. A GoFundMe organized by Goodhew for Valentyna Poltavchenko (the mother’s full name in some reports) has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, reflecting widespread support.

At Matilda’s funeral on December 18 at Chevra Kadisha Memorial Hall, hundreds gathered in purple—her favorite color—and black mourning attire. Rabbis and family members emphasized channeling grief into kindness, with one urging, “Remember her name.” Aunt Lina Chernykh told the BBC that while the Jewish community rightly demands action against rising antisemitism, Matilda’s legacy should inspire love: “She spread love everywhere she went.”

Matilda’s older brother, Vadim, offered quiet comfort at the vigil: “One thing that brings me comfort now is that whenever I would ask Matilda if she knew that I loved her, she would immediately say yes. She knew she was loved. She wasn’t alone.”

The broader community response has been one of solidarity and calls for change. Vigils drew thousands, with floral tributes piling at Bondi Pavilion. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns, attended memorials and pledged tighter gun laws—the attackers legally held firearms despite alleged radicalization ties to Islamic State inspiration. Families of victims, including Matilda’s and 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman’s, signed an open letter demanding a royal commission into antisemitism surges since October 2023.

As investigations continue—Naveed Akram remains hospitalized under guard—Matilda’s story has become a symbol of innocence shattered by hate. Her mother’s defiant words serve as a rallying cry: this tragedy must not define her daughter, but fuel remembrance, compassion, and resolve against extremism.

In Valentyna’s grief-stricken yet resolute voice, the message is clear: Matilda mattered. Her joy, her kindness, her light—these are what endure. Australia, and the world, vows to honor her by ensuring no child faces such a “monster” again.