A 15-year-old boy has been formally charged with murder following the tragic death of a nine-year-old girl in her own home in Weston-super-Mare.
A Community in Mourning
The victim has been named as Aria Thorpe, a young girl who had celebrated her birthday just a fortnight before the incident. The attack occurred on Monday evening in the Mead Vale area, shortly after Aria had returned home from an after-school dance class.
Emergency services rushed to the address, but Aria was pronounced dead at the scene. The swift police investigation led to the arrest of a teenage boy less than half a mile away at Worle railway station.
Authorities initially withheld the suspect's age but have now confirmed that a 15-year-old boy from Weston-super-Mare has been charged with murder. He is scheduled to appear in court today.
Heartbreaking Tributes to a 'Lovely Little Girl'
Neighbours and friends have been left devastated by the loss. Describing Aria as "a lovely little girl," they recalled her love for dressing up and playing. Floral tributes and heartbreaking notes have been left near the scene, with one message reading: ‘Aria, thank you for playing with me’.
Tamara Taylor, 40, the mother of Aria's best friend, spoke of the profound impact. "She and my daughter were best friends, they were always playing together," she said. "I’m dreading telling her when she comes home from school later. How do you tell an eight-year-old girl that her best friend has been killed?"
She added that the two girls had attended the same dance class on the fateful evening, highlighting the shocking proximity of the tragedy.
Authorities Appeal for Privacy and Calm
Superintendent Jen Appleford stated that the investigation has progressed rapidly and reiterated a plea for the family's privacy. "This remains an incredibly difficult time for Aria’s family," she said. "It is impossible to adequately describe how traumatic the past 36 hours have been for them."
She confirmed that support is being offered to the family and the wider community, including through local schools, to help them cope with the shock and grief.
Daniel Aldridge, the Labour MP for Weston-super-Mare, called the event "an utterly heartbreaking tragedy." He extended his condolences to the family and urged the public to avoid speculation while the police continue their enquiries.
The sense of loss has reverberated throughout the town, with police continuing their work at the scene and urging anyone with concerns to speak to officers present.
