A high-profile trial is scheduled for October 2025 in Edinburgh, where Aren Bylot Pearson, 40, faces charges for the tragic death of his 24-year-old girlfriend, Claire Leveque, from Edmonton, Alberta.
The events leading to Claire Leveque’s untimely death have shocked her family and the community. Pearson, currently incarcerated at Grampian Prison in Peterhead, Scotland, stands accused of stabbing, strangling, and drowning Leveque on February 11, 2024, during a stay with his mother in the Shetland Islands.
The Tragic Discovery and Police Investigation
Leveque, originally from Westlock, Alberta, was in Scotland with Pearson to care for his ailing mother after leaving her job at a Starbucks in Edmonton’s West Edmonton Mall. According to her father, Clint Leveque, Claire maintained a close relationship with her family, regularly calling her father during his morning work breaks. But on February 11, 2024, something felt amiss.
Clint Leveque recalls his growing concern when his daughter did not answer his phone calls as she had every day. After repeatedly calling her, he decided to reach out to Pearson’s phone, only to receive no answer. This alarming silence was followed by a chilling text message from a stranger—a friend of Pearson’s, who informed him that he needed to contact the Shetland Islands police immediately.
Leveque, fearing the worst, did just that. The officer who answered confirmed his suspicions: Claire had been murdered.
What Happened on February 11, 2024?
The police investigation revealed that Claire Leveque died while staying at Pearson’s mother’s residence, located in a remote part of the Shetland Islands. According to reports, Pearson allegedly killed her in a brutal attack, including stabbing, strangling, and drowning her.
After the murder, Pearson allegedly tried to cover his tracks. In a bizarre series of events, he contacted Leveque’s father and told him he had booked a flight for Claire to return to Canada. However, the truth quickly unraveled when the police were alerted and Pearson was arrested in connection to the crime.
Local media reports and images show police cordoning off an area near the seaside homes where the incident took place. A black Porsche belonging to Pearson was discovered later, pulled from the North Sea near a local pier.
Legal Proceedings and the Upcoming Trial
The preliminary hearing in Glasgow High Court on December 13, 2024, concluded with an indictment being presented against Pearson. The case will move to a full trial, set to begin on October 6, 2025, in Edinburgh.
Throughout the legal process, Pearson has maintained his innocence, though the evidence against him remains compelling. As the trial approaches, it is expected that more details will emerge, shedding light on the final moments of Claire Leveque’s life.
A Father’s Grief and Search for Answers
For Clint Leveque, the loss of his daughter has been devastating. In an emotional interview earlier this year, he recalled his daughter’s deep bond with her family, especially with him. Claire had always made time to speak with him daily, a ritual that suddenly ended on February 11.
The uncertainty surrounding her death has left her family searching for answers. With the trial set to take place in 2025, they hope to finally find out the full truth of what happened that fateful day in the Shetland Islands.
