Devastated Portsmouth dad pays tribute to "kind hearted" nine-year-old Aria who was tragically stabbed to death
A devastated Portsmouth dad has paid tribute to his “beautiful”, “kind hearted” nine-year-old who was tragically stabbed to death this week.
Emergency services were called to an address in Lime Close, Mead Vale, in Weston-super-Mare, just before 6.10pm on December 15.
Nine-year-old Aria Thorpe died at the scene from a single stabwound and a 15-year-old boy was arrested in Worle a short time later.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with Aria’s murder and appeared at Bristol Crown Court today (Friday, December 19). He was remanded in custody, and is next due to appear in court on March 16.
Aria’s family have today paid tribute to her, with her dad, Tom Thorpe, from Portsmouth, saying: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us. How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.
“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.
“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.”
Aria’s family on her mother’s 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.
“We are truly touched by the lovely messages we have received from friends and the local community over recent days. It has meant an awful lot to us all.
“We politely ask that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl.”