A Love Story Turned to Tragedy in the Remote Beauty of Shetland”

What began as a quiet evening in the peaceful surroundings of Sandness, Shetland, turned into a horrifying tragedy that has left an entire community reeling.
Claire Leveque, a 24-year-old woman originally from Canada, was found dead in the home she shared with her partner, Aren Pearson, on February 11, 2024. The couple had been together for some time, sharing what many thought was a loving relationship set against the rugged beauty of Shetland. But that illusion shattered in a single night of despair, pain, and confusion.

Pearson, now 41, stands accused of Claire’s murder after she was discovered with approximately 40 stab wounds, severe neck compression, and blunt force trauma. Her body was reportedly submerged in a hot tub, and the shocking 999 call played in court captured Pearson telling the operator: “I’ve just killed my girlfriend in the hot tub.”
The words sent shockwaves through those who knew them — and through a nation now haunted by the tragic loss of a young woman whose life ended far too soon.

“Conflicting Stories and a Search for the Truth”

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Pearson has denied murder, claiming that Claire’s injuries were self-inflicted. His defense paints a disturbing picture: he alleges that Claire, distressed after overhearing a conversation he had with her father about her drinking, grabbed a knife and “plunged” it into herself repeatedly while they were in the hot tub.

He told jurors that he was “frozen in shock,” unable to stop what was happening. But prosecutors argue otherwise — that this was not a tragic act of self-harm, but rather an act of rage and violence.
Forensic experts testified that the number and nature of Claire’s injuries were inconsistent with self-infliction, suggesting a prolonged and brutal attack. The chilling emergency call, the physical evidence, and the emotional weight of the courtroom have made this one of the most haunting trials Shetland has ever witnessed.

As the case unfolds, the jury faces an agonizing task — to determine whether this was a crime of passion, a violent assault, or a moment of tragic self-destruction.

“A Community in Mourning and a Family Seeking Justice”

The remote community of Sandness has been left in shock, struggling to comprehend how such violence could erupt in their midst. Friends and neighbors describe Claire as kind-hearted, bright, and full of life, a young woman who loved adventure and had fallen in love with the serenity of Shetland’s landscapes.

Her family, devastated by her death, continues to seek justice and truth amid the conflicting stories. They have remembered her not for the tragedy that ended her life, but for the light she brought into every room she entered.

As the trial continues, the haunting question remains — what really happened on that February night in Shetland?
Was this the desperate act of a broken young woman, or a horrific crime hidden behind a story of panic and regret?
The answer, when it comes, will mark the end of a story that has left heartbreak in its wake and forever changed those who knew and loved Claire Leveque.