Aria Thorpe: Images released of girl, 9, stabbed to death - as boy appears in court charged with murder

Police have released photos of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe, who was stabbed to death in Somerset.

One image shows the girl in a white sleeveless top and wearing a hairband with Minnie Mouse-style ears.

The other picture is of Aria in a pink dress, wearing a rosette and "happy birthday" headband, surrounded by balloons.

Her family approved the release of the images.

It comes as a teenage boy appeared in court charged with the girl's murder.

Aria died after suffering a single stab wound on Monday, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Emergency services were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare at 6.09pm but Aria was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with her murder.

During a brief hearing, he spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

He was remanded into youth detention accommodation ahead of a hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

A police cordon remains in place at the scene of Aria's death as forensics officers continue their work.

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Superintendent Jen Appleford, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the community was in shock and Aria's family were being supported by police.

"It is impossible to adequately describe how traumatic the past 36 hours have been for them and we'd like to reiterate in the strongest possible terms their request for privacy," she said.

Supt Appleford said police were working with local schools and other agencies to make sure support is available.

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