Overview
- Aria Thorpe was found fatally stabbed at her home in Weston-super-Mare on December 15, 2025, and was pronounced dead by emergency teams at 6.58pm that evening.
- Home Office pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery told jurors a single penetrating stab went through Aria’s heart and that she would have collapsed and died very quickly from that injury.
- The court heard the wound measured about 3.2cm wide and 7.5–8cm deep, and jurors were shown a 21cm-bladed kitchen knife with a green handle that Dr Jeffery said was capable of causing the wound.
- The 16-year-old defendant, who denies murder and manslaughter, has given evidence saying the stabbing was accidental and previously made a prepared police statement admitting he stabbed Aria while later telling officers he wished he had not done it.
- The trial before Mrs Justice O’Farrell continues with the prosecution relying on forensic detail, witness accounts including a 999 call from family friend Ollie Sheppard, and phone and CCTV material to determine intent and the level of force used, while the family remain deeply affected by the loss.