They Were Born to Play Together Forever: 9-Year-Old Mya Bella and 7-Year-Old Siggy Golabek Remembered as Unbreakable Best Friends Snatched by a Tragic Boat Tragedy in Barnegat Bay
In a quiet coastal town in New Jersey, two young siblings left behind the kind of pain that no parent should ever know. Mya Bella Golabek, just 9 years old, and her little brother Sigmund “Siggy” Paul Golabek, 7, were remembered by family as best friends — two hearts beating in perfect rhythm, sharing laughter, secrets, and the pure joy of being inseparable. Their loss has left a void that stretches far beyond any headline.
On July 19, the children were aboard their grandparents’ boat in Barnegat Bay. While enjoying a day on the water, the vessel struck an Intracoastal Waterway channel marker. Both Mya and Siggy were thrown into the cold water. They were later found unresponsive and pronounced dead at a hospital. The news of their passing spread through the community like a heavy storm, leaving families reeling in grief.
The parents, who had only these two children, are now mourning the sudden end to dreams of decades of birthdays, school days, holidays, and all the milestones young lives are meant to celebrate. Friends and loved ones have spoken of the unbreakable bond between Mya and Siggy — a connection that felt as natural as breathing. In a world often filled with chaos, these two were a reminder of simple, beautiful things: the safety of family, the laughter shared on a boat under the sun, and the innocence of childhood that should never be cut short.
Authorities have since charged their grandfather, Stephen Schneider, in connection with the crash. Those charges remain allegations and are still being resolved in court. What happened that day on Barnegat Bay continues to haunt those who knew them. Yet even in this darkness, the memory of Mya and Siggy shines brightly — a pair of little stars who will forever be remembered as best friends, lost far too soon.
Their story is one of love, loss, and the heartbreaking reality that life can change in an instant. As summer ends and the waters of Barnegat Bay grow quiet once more, people across New Jersey keep their names close to their hearts. In the weeks since, memorials have been held, flowers left on the shore, and prayers offered for peace in the families’ hearts. Mya and Siggy’s bond, however, will never be forgotten — a promise kept in the only way that matters most.
