A 15-year-old teenager faces charges for the alleged murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe in Weston-super-Mare, as confirmed by Avon and Somerset Police.
Tragically, Aria was reportedly killed in a residence on a quiet Somerset street shortly before Christmas, causing immense grief for her family.
Authorities responded to a distress call from paramedics at the Weston-super-Mare residence around 6 pm on Monday, leading to the swift arrest of a teenage boy near the scene.
The 15-year-old suspect has been detained pending a court appearance at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 17, according to law enforcement.
While formal identification procedures are ongoing, the police have stated that the boy stands accused of Aria Thorpe’s murder following the incident at Lime Close on December 15.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Aria’s tragic death resulted from a single stab wound.
Just before the unfortunate incident, Aria had enjoyed her ninth birthday with a Kpop Demon Hunters party and had eagerly discussed her Christmas wish list with a close friend.
Aria resided in a three-bedroom housing association home with her mother, Victoria Hull, 36, who was described as a “lovely little girl” by the mother of Aria’s friend, Mollie Taylor.
Tamara Taylor, 40, emotionally shared, “Aria was a delightful and spirited girl for her age. She adored playing dress-up and engaging in typical little girl activities. She and my daughter were inseparable, always spending time together and visiting each other’s homes regularly. Mollie sensed something was amiss at Aria’s home the night before, prompting us to send her to her grandmother’s for safety.”
A significant police presence remains at the scene as forensic specialists investigate the area surrounding Aria’s home.
Superintendent Jen Appleford remarked, “Our investigative efforts have been continuous since Monday evening, resulting in the charging of a 15-year-old Weston-super-Mare resident with murder. Our thoughts remain with Aria’s family during this challenging period, and we respect their plea for privacy.”
“This tragic event has deeply affected the community, and we are collaborating with local agencies and schools to provide support to those impacted,” added Superintendent Jen Appleford.
The community has shown patience and cooperation during the investigative process, with ongoing support available for anyone in need, as emphasized by law enforcement officials on-site.