A Tragic Night in Shetland: Love Turned to Horror

In one of Shetland’s most haunting and heartbreaking crimes, 41-year-old Aren Pearson has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, 24-year-old Claire Leveque, at his mother’s home in Sandness on February 11, 2024. What began as an ordinary evening ended in unimaginable violence when Pearson repeatedly stabbed Claire at least 26 times in a hot tub. The sheer savagery of the attack shocked even the most experienced investigators — 19 of those wounds were to her face and neck, leaving no doubt of the brutality behind her final moments.

Pearson, who denied murder, claimed that Claire had stabbed herself in a moment of distress — but the evidence told a far darker story. During the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, jurors heard how Pearson confessed multiple times to the killing, telling a 999 operator, “Hello, hi, my name is Aren Pearson. I’ve just killed my girlfriend in the hot tub in the garage.” His mother, Hazel — who has since passed away — also told police her son had looked like a “zombie” that night, moments before turning the knife on himself in a failed attempt to take his own life.

A Chilling Confession and a Sentence of Justice

When emergency services arrived, Pearson had stabbed himself in the neck, consumed brake fluid, and driven his Porsche off a pier, yet he survived with only minor injuries. He later admitted to both police and hospital staff that he “definitely killed” Claire, even remarking to doctors that he had been “trying to get rid of her for a while.”

In his sentencing, Lord Arthurson described the killing as “vicious, sustained, and deeply disturbing,” handing down a life sentence with a minimum of 25 years behind bars. The court also heard from a consultant psychiatrist who confirmed that Pearson was not suffering from any mental illness, shattering any suggestion of diminished responsibility.

For the Leveque family, who had traveled from Canada seeking justice, the verdict offered some closure — but no true comfort. Claire’s life was one of warmth and promise, cut tragically short in a moment of cruelty that will forever scar those who loved her.

Remembering Claire: A Life Stolen Too Soon

Claire Leveque was just 24 years old — a young woman full of life, love, and laughter. Friends described her as radiant, compassionate, and adventurous, someone who brought light into every room she entered. Her decision to move to Shetland to build a future with Pearson now stands as a heartbreaking twist of fate that ended in tragedy.

The community in Shetland remains shaken by the events of that February night, a reminder of how domestic violence can lurk behind closed doors, even in the most peaceful of places. Advocates have called for increased awareness and resources for those in toxic or controlling relationships, urging anyone who feels unsafe to seek help before it’s too late.

As the waves crash against the Shetland shores, the memory of Claire Leveque endures — a life that should have been long, bright, and beautiful. Though justice has been served, her loss remains an unhealed wound in the hearts of many.