A 16-year-old boy has been cleared of both murder and manslaughter in the tragic death of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe, who died from a single stab wound to the chest at her home in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, on December 15, 2025.

The jury at Bristol Crown Court returned verdicts of not guilty on both charges on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, was 15 at the time of the incident.

What Happened on the Day of the Tragedy

Aria Thorpe had enjoyed a normal, happy day before her death. She attended school, then went to an after-school dance class. Her mother, Victoria Hull, picked her up around 4:30 p.m. They went shopping for mini-pizzas and toppings, which they prepared and ate together at home. Aria was described as “bubbly and happy,” even asking for the last Oreo cookie.

Later that evening, Victoria left for her night shift work, leaving Aria watching YouTube videos on the television. A family friend, Ollie Sheppard, who was temporarily staying at the house, returned around 6 p.m. and discovered Aria on the floor in the living room. He immediately called 999. Paramedics and police arrived quickly, but despite their efforts, Aria was pronounced dead at 6:58 p.m. She had suffered a fatal single stab wound to the chest.

Just two weeks earlier, Aria had celebrated her ninth birthday with a joyful KPop Demon Hunters-themed party. Family tributes described her as a “beautiful little soul — happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy,” who loved singing, dancing, and dressing up like her mummy. Her father, Tom Thorpe, called her a “brave, kind-hearted and beautiful innocent soul” who always brought smiles to those around her.

The Boy’s Account and Trial Testimony

The 16-year-old boy admitted to being at Aria’s home and handling a knife but insisted the fatal injury was a tragic accident. He told the jury that he picked up a knife from the kitchen and went into the lounge, where Aria was sitting on the sofa, intending to “scare” her as part of play-fighting or fooling around.

He demonstrated in court how he waved the knife in a “ninja-style” manner and jabbed it forward like fencing to make her flinch and get a reaction. According to his testimony, Aria stood up and moved slightly forward as he did this, causing the knife to accidentally enter her chest. He said he immediately pulled it out, panicked when she put her hand to her chest and fell to the floor, and believed she had died.

In fear, he ran to the kitchen, placed the knife back in the sink, and fled the house without checking on her further, calling for help, or alerting neighbors. He walked to the nearby Worle train station, where he told a group of children that Aria’s death was an “accident.” He borrowed a phone (his own had been confiscated by his mother) and searched for “what happens if you kill…”. A girl at the station called police on 999. The boy attempted to board a train, but police stopped it and arrested him.

The Verdict and Reactions

After hearing all the evidence, the jury acquitted the boy of both murder and manslaughter. Several members of the public gallery, including Aria’s mother, left the courtroom quietly following the verdicts. The boy showed no visible reaction.

Detective Inspector Neil Meade of Avon and Somerset Police said after the verdict:

“Aria Thorpe was a fun-loving girl, adored by her parents and wider family. She clearly brought a huge amount of joy to many people’s lives. Aria’s grieving family have shown exceptional courage over the past six months, particularly during this trial, and our thoughts are with them.”

He added that the court heard evidence about the teenager’s involvement, noting the boy claimed it was an accident during play-fighting and that he never intended to harm Aria.

The judge, Mrs Justice O’Farrell, had reminded jurors to set aside strong emotions and judge the case fairly based on the evidence.

A Devastating Loss

Aria’s family has been left heartbroken. In previous tributes, they expressed the profound devastation of losing such a vibrant young girl whose life was cut tragically short. The case has shocked the local community in Weston-super-Mare and beyond.

This verdict brings a legal conclusion to the criminal proceedings, but the profound grief for Aria’s family and loved ones remains. She is remembered as a joyful, affectionate child who lit up the lives of those around her.