Aren Pearson found guilty of murdering Claire Leveque in Shetland

A 41-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering his partner, 24-year-old Claire Leveque, at a property in the Sandness area of Shetland on February 11, 2024, a High Court jury in Edinburgh concluded on Wednesday. Leveque, a Canadian national, was discovered with serious injuries in a hot tub at the house and was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services arrived.

Prosecutors told the court that the defendant, Aren Pearson, repeatedly struck Leveque on the head, neck and body with knives or similar instruments, inflicted blunt force trauma, compressed her neck and submerged her head and body in water. The indictment also alleged that, before officers arrived, Pearson drove to a nearby pier and deliberately drove his car into the sea, then returned to the house where he was arrested. Pearson denied the murder charge at trial.

Police described the injuries and the circumstances of the case as severe. Detective Inspector Richard Baird said the level of violence inflicted was “truly horrifying” and that the investigation uncovered evidence of a controlling and violent relationship. Chief Inspector Chris Sewell, Shetland area commander, said the case had a wide impact...