Inquest into the death of “kind-hearted” Aria Thorpe,9, told how she died from a single stab wound
The inquest opening into the death of a “kind-hearted” and “happy-go-lucky” nine-year-old girl were told how she died from a single stab wound.
Aria Thorpe died at her home in Mead Vale, Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset on December 15 after paramedics were called to the scene just before 6.10pm. A 15-year-old boy was arrested shortly afterwards and has since appeared at Bristol Crown Court charged with murder.
At the inquest held at Avon Coroners’ Court, the coroner’s officer Andrew Eastwood said: “The deceased died at her home address from a stab wound to her chest.”
The area coroner for Avon, Dr Peter Harrowing, advised that the full post-mortem report should be provided by February 16 with a review date being set for April 10 “because other proceeding are ongoing”.
Dr Harrowing listed the interested persons in the case as Aria’s family and the alleged perpetrator. He stated that any further coronial proceedings would be “subject to the outcome of any police investigation or criminal proceedings that may follow”.
Aria’s father Tom Thorpe, from Portsmouth, paid tribute to his daughter following her death. He said: “You were such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul. You always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness.
“You always found it so easy to show your affection to others and ensure others around you were happy and never bored!
“I’ll never ever forget our time in Disneyland as a family; seeing your face light up when we were watching the princess show was a picture that will last forever in our minds.
“Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you. We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.
“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”
The family on Aria’s mothers side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul — happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.
“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy. The loss of Aria has devastated us beyond words. Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible.
“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.”