Horror as ‘lovely little girl’, 9, ‘murdered’ at house in quiet street | UK | News
A moment of silence was observed for the nine-year-old girl found fatally stabbed. Emergency services were called to a house in Lime Close in the Mead Vale district of Weston-super-Mare. somersettAround 18:00 on Monday.
About 20 minutes later, a child was arrested on suspicion of murder outside Worle railway station, less than half a mile from the scene. Locally, the girl was named Aria, who celebrated her ninth birthday with a KPop Demon Hunters-themed party just two weeks ago. The night before the teenager died, she was talking excitedly about her Christmas wish list with her best friend.
Jordan Hull, Aria’s uncle, posted on Facebook yesterday: “Can everyone please give me and my family time to grieve the sudden loss of my niece Aria? This was a sudden tragedy and my family is experiencing extreme pain right now.”
Aria lived in a three-bedroom house with her hairdresser mother Victoria Hull, 36. Mirror. A friend called Nadia told her followers on Facebook that Ms Hull had received “devastating news” and that her salon, Lucky Streaks, would be closed until further notice.
The message added: “We are all heartbroken and ask that you be respectful at this time.”
The mother of a girl said to be Aria’s close friend has paid an emotional tribute to her. Tamara Taylor, 40, tearfully said: “Aria was a sassy and lovely girl for her age. She loved dressing up and doing what little girls do.”
“She and my daughter were great friends, they always played together and were at each other’s houses every night. Mollie knew something was going on at Aria’s house last night so we sent her to her grandmother’s to keep her away.”
“I’m afraid to tell her later when she gets home from school. How do you tell an eight-year-old girl that her best friend was killed in a suspicious murder?”
Ms. Taylor said her daughter went to Aria’s KPop party just two weeks ago. He added: “I can’t believe it. You hear these things and then suddenly you find them on your doorstep.”
Well-wishers paid tribute to the scene. A visibly emotional young girl left a bouquet of flowers at the scene and wrote: “Aria, thank you for playing with me. Much love to you, your sister and your mother.”
Margaret Jones, who has lived in the area for 20 years, said: “There’s a good chance I saw him playing, because that’s where most of the children play, which is a scary thought. It makes me sad… It makes me sad that I’ve spoken to him and known him.”
The investigation by officers from Avon and Somerset Constabulary is ongoing. Supt Jen Appleford previously said: “We know the whole of Weston-super-Mare will be devastated and shocked to learn this absolutely terrible news…
“We cannot put into words the pain and suffering they are feeling at this time. We offer them our sincerest condolences and will ensure they receive support from a specially trained officer.
“A criminal investigation is currently ongoing to establish the facts of this case. The formal identification process has not yet been completed and an autopsy examination will also be carried out.”
He urged people not to speculate about the circumstances or the identities of those involved as this would only add to the family’s immense distress.
Dan Aldridge, Labor MP for Weston-super-Mare, said in a statement posted on Facebook: “The death of a nine-year-old girl in Worle is a devastating, deeply heartbreaking tragedy for the family and loved ones. My thoughts are with her family, friends and everyone who knew her at this unimaginably difficult time.”
“Nothing any of us can say will make this any easier for the family, but I know the relevant authorities are supporting them. And my office and I are here to support the family in whatever they need.”
“This is a moment that will understandably shock and upset us all, and I know many in our town will be grieving, concerned and searching for answers. I would urge everyone to respect the family’s privacy and avoid speculation while police conduct their investigation.”
He said police had reassured the community there was no indication of an ongoing risk to public safety and patrols had been increased to provide reassurance.
