‘Beautiful’ girl, 9, died from single stab wound to chest, inquest hears
The investigation stated that a nine-year-old girl died due to a single stab wound to her chest.
Aria Thorpe was stabbed at an address in Lime Close shortly before 6.10pm on December 15 and a 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with murder shortly afterwards.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sent to a youth detention center ahead of a hearing in June.
Coroner Andrew Eastwood told Avon Coroner’s Court: “The deceased died at his home address from stab wounds to the chest.”
Paying tribute, Aria’s father Tom Thorpe previously said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it was to be there with the angels watching over us, our little Aria.”
He continued: “You were such a brave, kind-hearted and beautiful, innocent soul. You always made people smile with your crazy and downright madness.
“You have always found it so easy to show your love to others and ensure that those around you are happy and never bored!
“I will never forget the time we spent as a family at Disneyland; seeing her face light up while watching the princess show was an image that will stay with us forever.
Your other little family in Portsmouth will miss you forever.
“We will miss you begging to go out, even in the pouring rain, to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had on the weekends.
“You will be missed so much, you special little angel. It’s a life gone too soon, but I hope it’s a life well lived. We all love you so much. Goodnight darling.”
Aria’s maternal family 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 was proud of dressing up, always wanting to look like her mother.
“We are devastated beyond words by the loss of Aria. Our hearts are broken in ways we could never have imagined.”
Avon County Coroner Dr. Peter Harrowing directed that the full autopsy report be provided by 16 February.
He listed people of interest in the case as Aria’s family and the alleged perpetrator.
“As other proceedings are ongoing, I will not include this matter in the inquest, but will list it for the review date on 10 April,” Dr Harrowing said.
The coroner said the review date would not be a court hearing.
He added that any further criminal investigation “will depend on the outcome of any police investigation or criminal investigation that may follow.”
