THE family of a “beautiful” nine-year-old girl who was tragically stabbed to death at home have paid tribute to their “special little angel”.
Aria Thorpe wasdiscovered dead on Mondaynight in Weston-super-Mare after suffering a single knife wound.
A 15-year-old boy appeared at Bristol Crown Court today charged with murder.
Aria’s loved ones have now paid tribute in moving statements released by police.
Her family on her mum’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.”
Aria’s dad Tom Thorpe called his daughter a “special little angel” in an emotional tribute.
He said: “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.
“How I’ll long to hear you asking me to test you with maths, ‘numbers’ as you called it, to entertain you when you get bored with the iPad. How sad it’s going to be not making your buttery crackers, grapes and a yoghurt for your breakfast.
“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!
“I’ll never ever forget our time in Disneyland as a family; seeing your face light up when we were watching the princess show was a picture that will last forever in our minds.”
Tom also told how Aria’s family will “forever miss you” and said the youngster will be “greatly missed”.
He added: “A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”
Aria had tragically celebrated her ninth birthday with a KPop Demon Hunters party just two weeks ago.
Her mum VictoriaHull, a former soldier and hairstylist, is said to be devastated by the loss.
Police were scrambled to the family home at around 6.09pm on Monday following the horror.
The teen boy was arrested on suspicion of murder seven minutes later.
He has been remanded into youth detention accommodation ahead of a hearing on March 16.
A large cordon remains in place around Aria’s home while forensic teams conduct a search.