A 15-year-old boy has been formally charged with the murder of a nine-year-old girl in a tragic incident in Weston-super-Mare. The victim has been named by police as Aria Thorpe.
Charges Laid Following Monday Night Tragedy
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the charge on Wednesday, 17 December 2025. The incident occurred on Monday night at a residential address on Lime Close, where Aria was pronounced dead. Officers arrested a teenage boy in the nearby Worle area less than ten minutes after they were called to the scene.
Post-Mortem Reveals Cause of Death
A preliminary post-mortem examination has indicated that Aria Thorpe's death was caused by a single stab wound. The investigation, led by Avon and Somerset's Major Crime Investigation Team, is ongoing as forensic work continues at the scene.
Court Appearance Scheduled
The accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, is scheduled to appear before Bristol Magistrates' Court later today. The case is expected to be swiftly referred to a higher court given the serious nature of the charge.
Detectives have stated that the boy and the victim were known to each other, and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with Aria's death. The community in Weston-super-Mare has been left in shock, with floral tributes beginning to appear near the scene in Lime Close.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Paul Standford expressed his condolences, stating: "This is a truly heartbreaking incident, and our thoughts are with Aria's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. We have specialist family liaison officers supporting them." He urged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
