16-year-old acquitted in killing of 9-year-old Aria Thorpe in England

A 16-year-old boy was cleared of murder and manslaughter charges in the death of nine‑year‑old Aria Thorpe. The stabbing occurred on 15 December 2022 at her home in Weston‑super‑Mare, North Somerset. The boy, who cannot be named because of his age, told the Bristol Crown Court jury that he had taken a kitchen knife to “scare” Aria, waving it in a “ninja‑style” before it inadvertently pierced her chest. He later fled to Worle railway station, where he told a group of children the death was an “accident” and searched online for “what happens if you kill…”. Police arrested him after a 999 call from a child at the station. Pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery confirmed Aria died swiftly from a single stab wound to the heart.

The jury returned not‑guilty verdicts on both murder and manslaughter. Following the verdict, members of the public gallery left the courtroom quietly. Aria’s family expressed outrage, saying the decision failed to deliver justice and questioning the message it sends to society.