GLASGOW, Scotland — A Canadian man, recently granted Scottish citizenship, faced preliminary charges in the Glasgow High Court on Friday, tied to the serious accusations surrounding the death of his girlfriend in the remote Shetland Islands. Aren Pearson, 40, is charged with murder, assault, and attempting to defeat the ends of justice following the death of 24-year-old Claire Leveque from Edmonton.
Leveque, found deceased in the home she shared with Pearson, suffered multiple stab wounds and blunt-force trauma. Legal documents allege a grim scenario where Pearson strangled Leveque and submerged both her head and body in water, leading to her death. Notably, Pearson contacted Leveque’s father prior to the discovery of the tragedy, assuring him of her well-being and mentioning plans for her return to Canada.
The situation presents a harrowing face of intimate partner violence, an issue that remains pervasive worldwide. Claire Leveque had relocated to the Shetland Islands with Pearson last year after meeting him in Edmonton, where she was working. Their move, intended to be a new beginning, tragically ended with Leveque’s untimely death in February.
The charges against Pearson also include threats and abusive behavior towards Leveque, with court documents indicating he sent her menacing text messages and verbal assaults, exacerbating an already volatile situation. This detailed indictment reflects a broader societal issue, as highlighted by Leveque’s family through their advocacy efforts in Canada.
In a reflection of the deep scars left by the tragedy, Hope Saunders, a lifelong friend of Leveque, expressed her devastation to journalists from her home in Barrhead, Alta. “It feels like a bad dream,” Saunders lamented, describing the impact of the loss on her and the community.
Following his court appearance, Pearson was remanded to Grampian Prison in Peterhead, Scotland, a high-security facility. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial, expected to unfold over eight days, is scheduled to begin on Oct. 6, 2025, in Edinburgh.
Leveque’s family, devastated but resolute, has been closely monitoring the proceedings, drawing updates from legal developments halfway across the globe. They have expressed a strong desire to see justice served, underpinned by a call for the maximum penalty allowed under U.K. law for the accused.
Responding to the broader implications of the case, the family has also used this moment to spotlight the epidemic of intimate partner violence, emphasizing the need for systemic change and enhanced legislative measures to better protect vulnerable individuals. Their involvement in promoting “Keira’s Law” in Manitoba illustrates an active stance against domestic violence, aiming for judiciary considerations of domestic violence and coercive control in legal proceedings.
The family’s advocacy extends beyond legal changes, hoping to secure Claire’s legacy by supporting educational mandates for new judges and justices to be trained in recognizing and understanding the nuances of coercive control and violence within intimate relationships.
As the trial approaches, the community, both in the Shetland Islands and in Canada, remains vigilant and supportive. Leveque’s tragic end illuminates not only her individual case but also the global struggle against violence towards women, painting a painful picture of loss and the enduring fight for justice and safety.