{"id":5716,"date":"2026-06-16T14:39:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T14:39:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/family-friend-thought-stabbed-girl-aria-thorpe-was-messing-around-when-he-first-saw-her-on-floor\/"},"modified":"2026-06-16T14:39:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T14:39:28","slug":"family-friend-thought-stabbed-girl-aria-thorpe-was-messing-around-when-he-first-saw-her-on-floor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/family-friend-thought-stabbed-girl-aria-thorpe-was-messing-around-when-he-first-saw-her-on-floor\/","title":{"rendered":"Family friend thought stabbed girl Aria Thorpe was &#8216;messing around&#8217; when he first saw her on floor"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_153f7e\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Aria Thorpe was found lying face down in the lounge of her home in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, by a family friend, a court has heard<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\"><\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37298083\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aria Thorpe\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37298083.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/3_New-pictures-of-nine-year-old-victim-released-by-parents-as-teen-goes-on-trial-murder.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37298083.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/3_New-pictures-of-nine-year-old-victim-released-by-parents-as-teen-goes-on-trial-murder.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37298083.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/3_New-pictures-of-nine-year-old-victim-released-by-parents-as-teen-goes-on-trial-murder.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37298083.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/3_New-pictures-of-nine-year-old-victim-released-by-parents-as-teen-goes-on-trial-murder.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Aria Thorpe was found lying on the floor\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Aria Thorpe was found lying on the floor<cite aria-label=\"Image: Avon and Somerset Police \/ SWNS\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Avon and Somerset Police \/ SWNS)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A family friend believed a nine-year-old girl was &#8220;messing around&#8221; when he found her lying face down on the floor after she had been fatally stabbed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ollie Sheppard explained how he found Aria Thorpe in the lounge of her home and initially thought she was playing before he &#8220;put two and two together&#8221; when he saw blood on her arm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A 16-year-old who cannot be named due to legal reasons is currently on trial at Bristol Crown Court and denies charges of murder and manslaughter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The teenager is accused of stabbing Aria in the chest at a house in Weston-super-Mare in North Somerset on December 15, 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Sheppard told the court that he was staying at the property temporarily when he returned there after work at around 6pm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He explained that he entered the property through the rear door located in the kitchen, where he found the family dogs shut &#8211; something he described as normal if no one was home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Describing the house, he said: &#8220;It felt cold. Everything was silent. One of the kitchen drawers was wide open. I went from the kitchen into the hallway.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I couldn\u2019t push open the door because the door to the cupboard under the stairs was open. I managed to push my way through.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;As I pushed through the door, I just walked down the hallway, and I turned round by the stairs, and I saw Aria on the floor.2<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ray Tully KC, prosecuting, asked: &#8220;What was your first thought when you saw her on the floor?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Sheppard replied: &#8220;She was messing around. I called her name, Aria, and pretty much I had put two and two together and I saw blood on her arm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;She was tucked in by the door, face down. There wasn\u2019t much blood visible because of the hard flooring, the carpet was dark.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I couldn\u2019t see any mark that stood out and as I said there was blood on her arm, and her school top was covered in blood.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;My first instinct was to ring her mother. She didn\u2019t answer because she was at work, so I left her a note she needed to contact me ASAP and then I called 999.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Sheppard was then directed by the call handler to perform CPR, which he did until the emergency services arrived.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Neighbour Shalyna Chaplain told the jury she was feeding her toddler son and they were watching the TV together when she heard shouting coming from next door shortly before 6pm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The TV was on fairly loud and I became aware of a commotion from next door,&#8221; Ms Chaplain said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She added: &#8220;It was like two people shouting who were upset, rather than two people shouting at each other who were aggressive. It got progressively louder.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It was unusual because I had not heard any shouting at that level from next door. Because of how loud the noise was I believed it was outside the front.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It went on for about four minutes \u2013 it wasn\u2019t a long time. It was progressively getting louder and then it stopped completely.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She told the jury the two voices she heard sounded like teenage boys.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Initially, when I heard the noise I wasn\u2019t too alarmed, it was only when I heard the sirens I realised it was more serious and I regret not turning down the TV,&#8221; Ms Chaplain said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She described the shouting as &#8220;unusual&#8221; and said she would hear noise from next door &#8220;but nothing like that&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Andrew Langdon KC, defending the teenager, suggested what she had in fact heard was a single male voice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It was probably difficult for you with the TV on. There wasn\u2019t two male voices, but it was one, just shortly before the flashing lights arrived outside?&#8221; he asked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">She replied: &#8220;It did sound like someone was talking to another person. At the time I was fairly certain it was two voices.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37296530\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37296530\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37296530.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Aria-Thorpe-death.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37296530.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Aria-Thorpe-death.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37296530.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Aria-Thorpe-death.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37296530.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Aria-Thorpe-death.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Aria Thorpe\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Aria Thorpe<cite aria-label=\"Image: PA\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: PA)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In a written statement, Ms Chaplain\u2019s partner Ashley Mansell said he was upstairs working in a bedroom when he heard voices coming from next door.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I heard shouting, three &#8216;No, no, noes&#8217;. It was said in a tone of disbelief. It immediately made me think it was an unusual thing to hear,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It was more like a &#8216;can\u2019t believe it&#8217; no. It was a male voice, I can\u2019t say who it was.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Mansell said the commotion took place at some point between 5.57pm and 6.07pm and that shortly after he went downstairs, he heard an ambulance arriving.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The court has previously heard that after Aria was fatally stabbed the defendant left the house and went to a nearby railway station, telling children gathered there he had stabbed a child.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;You\u2019ll see it on the news later,&#8221; he told them. &#8220;I was playing around with a knife. (She) walked into the knife. I accidentally stabbed her with a really big knife.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He told one of the group, who he knew: &#8220;Yo (name) I\u2019m a murderer. I accidentally killed someone.&#8221; One of the group called the police while another distracted the teen to report what he had been saying.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The teenager was arrested minutes later as he was sitting on the floor of a carriage of a train waiting to leave the station.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A post-mortem examination found Aria had suffered a single stab wound to the chest and would have &#8220;died very swiftly from her injury&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The trial before Mrs Justice O\u2019Farrell continues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/aria-thorpe-murder-court-case-37304262\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Aria Thorpe was found lying face down in the lounge of her home in Weston-super-Mare,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5717,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3_New-pictures-of-nine-year-old-victim-released-by-parents-as-teen-goes-on-trial-murder.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5716"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5716\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}