Claire death: Man charged with murder
Tributes to Canadian-born victim
A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman in Shetland.
Canadian-born Claire Leveque, 24, was pronounced dead after emergency services raced to a property in Sandness on the west of the island on Sunday afternoon following a disturbance.
Aren Pearson, 39, of Shetland, has now appeared in private at Lerwick Sheriff Court charged with her murder. He made no plea and was remanded in custody.
He is due back in court before the end of next week.
Pearson was taken to hospital for treatment following the incident.
Locals were told to stay in their homes as the area was sealed off.
Neighbours have claimed Claire had been living on the island for only months before her death.
Shetland West councillor Liz Peterson said: “This has been a huge shock to the small and close-knit community of Sandness.
“I cannot comment on this incident further. However, I would request that the family are left alone at this time, to allow them to mourn the loss of their loved one.”
Shetland Women’s Aid said: “We are devastated to hear of the incident in Sandness at the weekend which resulted in the death of a 24-year-old woman and our thoughts are with her loved ones at this tragic time.
“While we cannot comment further on this specific case as it is an ongoing police matter, we would like to extend our support to anyone who has been affected by the news.”
Tributes to Claire were posted on social media. One said: “So sad, such a young age.”
Another wrote: “Beautiful woman gone to soon, RIP.”
A third added: “My thoughts to her friends and family, such a terrible thing to happen.”
Earlier, a spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “A woman who died following a disturbance in Shetland on Sunday, February 11, 2024, has been named as Claire Leveque.
“Police were called around 4.55pm to the Sandness area of Shetland following a report of a disturbance and the 24-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
“A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection and is due to appear at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday, February 15, 2024.”
This has been a huge shock to the close-knit community
Liz peterson shetland councillor