A nine-year-old girl, named locally as Aria, has died after being stabbed at a house in Weston-super-Mare, prompting a murder investigation and leaving a close-knit community in shock.
Emergency services were called to a property in the Mead Vale area shortly after 6pm on Monday, after paramedics raised concerns. Despite desperate attempts by South West Ambulance Service medics, including CPR, Aria was pronounced dead at the scene.
A teenage boy was arrested around 15 minutes later outside Worle railway station, less than half a mile from the address. He remains in police custody on suspicion of murder.
Aria had only just celebrated her ninth birthday two weeks ago, enjoying a K-pop Demon Hunters-themed party. Friends say she had been excitedly talking about her Christmas wish list the night before her death.
Her uncle, Jordan Hull, paid tribute on social media, asking for privacy as the family grieves. He wrote:
“Please can everyone give myself and my family time to grieve the sudden loss of my niece Aria. This was a sudden tragedy and my family are going through extreme pain right now.”
Aria lived with her mother, Victoria Hull, 36, in a housing association property. A close family friend confirmed that Victoria’s hair salon would remain closed until further notice, saying the family was “heartbroken” and asking the public to be respectful.
Tributes have begun to appear near the scene. One message read:
“Aria, thank you for playing with me. Lots of love to you, your sister and mum.”
Friends described Aria as bright, sassy and full of life. The mother of one of her closest friends said the two girls spent most evenings together and had attended the same after-school dance class on the day of the tragedy.
Superintendent Jen Appleford said the news had devastated the town.
She said:
“We know the whole of Weston-super-Mare will be distraught and shocked by this utterly dreadful news. It is impossible to put into words the pain and anguish Aria’s family are feeling.”
She confirmed a post-mortem examination will take place and that formal identification has not yet been completed. Officers are carrying out house-to-house enquiries, and a police cordon remains in place.
Supt Appleford added there would be an increased police presence in the area to provide reassurance, stressing that officers were not aware of any wider risk to public safety.
North Somerset Council leader Mike Bell said he was “shocked and saddened” by the girl’s death, adding his thoughts were with Aria’s family and friends.
