In a heartbreaking twist to Australia’s deadliest terror attack in modern history, joyful final photos have surfaced of 10-year-old Matilda—affectionately nicknamed “Little Sweet Bee” by her loving family—beaming with happiness during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach. The images, captured mere minutes before chaos erupted on December 14, 2025, show the bright-eyed girl surrounded by family, lighting candles and soaking in the festive atmosphere. Now, these snapshots of pure innocence stand as a haunting reminder of the life cut tragically short in the antisemitic massacre that left 16 dead and dozens wounded.

Matilda, whose full name has been partially withheld in some reports at her family’s request but identified in others as Matilda Britvan or simply Matilda Bee, was the youngest victim of the rampage. The attack unfolded just before 7 p.m. on the first night of Hanukkah during the “Chanukah by the Sea” event organized by Chabad-Lubavitch of Bondi. Hundreds had gathered on the promenade for lights, music, and community—until two gunmen, identified as 24-year-old Naveed Akram and his 50-year-old father Sajid, allegedly opened fire with rifles in a targeted act of terrorism against Jewish Australians.

Witnesses described scenes of pandemonium: Families scattering, people diving for cover, and heroic acts amid the gunfire. A teenage girl reportedly shielded younger children with her injured body as mothers lay dead nearby. Police neutralized the attackers in dramatic drone-captured footage, but not before 16 lives were lost, including a Holocaust survivor, rabbis, a beloved “candyman” from the congregation, and young Matilda. Up to 40 others were injured, some critically, with victims ranging in age from 10 to 87.

The photos of Matilda’s last moments alive have devastated the nation. In one heartwarming image supplied by her family, she’s seen smiling radiantly at the event, her face lit by the glow of Hanukkah candles. Her aunt Lina shared approved pictures on social media, writing: “A great tragedy has happened to my family. Yesterday my beloved niece Matilda was killed during a terrorist attack in Bondi Beach.” Another tribute from her language teacher Irina Goodhew on GoFundMe described her as a “bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her”—a description that echoes her nickname “Little Sweet Bee,” evoking her sweet, buzzing energy and gentle soul.

Matilda’s mother spoke at a vigil, hugging her surviving son as floral tributes piled up around a photo of her daughter. “I will never see her smile again, only in my photographs,” one grieving relative lamented in interviews. The girl’s funeral on December 18 drew hundreds to Chevra Kadisha Memorial Hall in Sydney, where mourners in tears carried her small coffin. Bright bouquets symbolized the light she brought, and her parents broke their silence in statements slamming political failures while vowing to remember her vibrant spirit.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack as a “targeted assault on Jewish Australians on a day of joy,” pledging new hate crime laws in response. But Matilda’s parents accused him of failing their daughter, leading to his absence from her funeral. The Jewish community, already reeling, honored her alongside other victims like Rabbi Eli Schlanger, soccer player Dan Elkayam, and great-grandfather Tibor Weitzen, who died shielding others.

Tributes poured in from across Australia and the world. “She was the congregation’s little ray of sunshine,” one Chabad member said. A soccer club mourned lost player Dan Elkayam as “talented and popular.” Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman and others were remembered for lives of resilience. Vigils at Bondi Beach saw thousands gather, leaving messages of solidarity amid tightened security.

The attackers’ motives point to antisemitism, with police uncovering a homemade bomb and confirming terrorism. No prior warnings linked the father-son duo, described as unemployed with radical leanings. Drone footage showed one gunman stumbling after being shot by marksmen on a footbridge.

As Sydney mourns, Matilda’s story has become emblematic of the innocence stolen. Her final smiles, caught forever on camera, contrast sharply with the horror that followed—gunfire shattering a night of celebration. Communities rally with memorials, calls for stronger anti-hate measures, and funds for victims’ families. GoFundMes and tributes highlight her as a “gentle soul” full of promise, perhaps dreaming of engineering or simply more Hanukkahs by the sea.

This attack marks one of Australia’s darkest days, sparking national conversations on rising antisemitism, gun access, and community safety. Jewish leaders praised off-duty heroes and police but demanded action. For Matilda’s family, the pain is raw: A little girl nicknamed for her sweetness, gone in an instant.

Australia promises justice and reform, but nothing brings back the light of “Little Sweet Bee.” Her photos endure as a testament to joy amid tragedy—and a call to prevent the next.

If you’re struggling with grief or trauma, support is available. In Australia, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at 1300 22 4636.