Shetland Hot Tub Murder: The Chilling Case of Aren Pearson and the Control That Turned Deadly

In one of Scotland’s most disturbing true-crime cases, 41-year-old Aren Pearson has been found guilty of murdering his 24-year-old girlfriend, Claire Leveque, in a hot tub at his mother’s home in Shetland. The Canadian couple had moved to Scotland in 2023 in search of a new beginning—but their relationship descended into jealousy, coercive control, and ultimately a violent killing that left police and locals horrified. The case, now widely known as the “Shetland hot tub murder,” exposes the devastating reality of domestic abuse behind closed doors.

Who Was Claire Leveque — and What Happened in the Hot Tub?

Claire Leveque was a young Canadian woman from Westloch, Alberta, remembered for her bright smile and adventurous spirit. She and Pearson had settled in Shetland to start a new life abroad. But on 11 February 2024, emergency services were called to Pearson’s mother’s property in Sandness, where Claire was found dead in a hot tub — stabbed more than 25 times in the neck and chest.

Her brutal death has become one of the most shocking cases in northern Scotland’s recent history.

The Crime Scene: “The Water Was Red with Blood”

Pearson’s late mother, Hazel Pearson, told detectives her son walked into the kitchen, took a knife, and moments later confessed, “I’ve hurt my girlfriend.” When she ran outside, she found the hot tub filled with blood.

Hazel immediately called 999, but Aren grabbed the phone and confessed directly to the operator, saying he had stabbed Claire “around 40 times.”

When police arrived, they discovered Pearson bleeding from self-inflicted neck wounds. He later admitted to drinking brake fluid and driving his Porsche into the sea in an attempt to take his own life.

At Lerwick’s Gilbert Bain Hospital, consultant Dr Caroline Heggie testified that Pearson told her chillingly:

“I’ve been trying to get rid of her for a while.”

A Pattern of Control and Violence

Investigators uncovered a disturbing pattern of emotional abuse, manipulation, and coercive control. Detectives said Pearson sought to isolate Claire from her friends, humiliate her, and dominate every aspect of her life.

Detective Inspector Richard Baird described the killing as one of the most violent crimes Shetland had ever seen:

“The level of violence Aren Pearson inflicted is truly horrifying.”

Prosecutors said the murder was the culmination of months of toxic behavior that escalated into lethal violence.

The Defence That No One Believed

Pearson denied murder, claiming Claire had stabbed herself during an argument about her drinking. He told jurors she had jumped into the hot tub and “stabbed herself four or five times.”

But his version collapsed under scrutiny. The jury heard his own confession during the 999 call and testimony from multiple witnesses. He was convicted of murder at the High Court in Edinburgh and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years.

The Father’s Heartbreak and Community Shock

Claire’s father, Clint Leveque, spoke to Canadian media following the verdict.

“My daughter texted me every night: ‘I love you, Dad.’ Every night of her life,” he said.
“She was happy, positive, and so friendly to everybody.”

Her close friend Hope Saunders said:

“It’s sickening that someone so bright, so young, and so beautiful could have her life taken in a flash like that. I can’t stop thinking about how scared she might have been.”

Local council convenor Andrea Manson added:

“In a normally safe and caring community, the loss of such a beautiful young lass is being felt by everyone in Shetland.”

Why Do Some Partners Become Controlling?

Controlling behavior often grows from insecurity, jealousy, or fear of abandonment.
In plain English: a controlling partner tries to limit another person’s choices, isolate them from friends or family, and control what they do, where they go, or who they see. Over time, this pattern becomes emotional abuse — and, as this case showed, it can sometimes lead to physical violence or even death.

Lessons for Leadership: When Control Turns to Coercion

Although this tragedy unfolded in a private home, it echoes a familiar warning for leaders and organizations: control without empathy is corrosive.

In business, the qualities that drive success — decisiveness, confidence, authority — can quickly turn toxic when they slide into domination or intimidation. True leadership requires balance, humility, and emotional intelligence.

Progressive companies now recognize that healthy workplaces depend on psychological safety, open dialogue, and accountability at every level. Incorporating domestic abuse awareness, ethical leadership training, and mental health initiatives into corporate culture isn’t simply compassionate — it’s good governance.

The Shetland case reminds us that empathy isn’t weakness; it’s a safeguard against the misuse of power. Whether at home or in the boardroom, real leadership protects rather than controls.

CSR Focus: How Companies Can Support Domestic Abuse Awareness

As corporate social responsibility (CSR) evolves, more companies are beginning to address domestic abuse as a workplace and societal issue. Supporting affected employees and creating a culture of awareness can save lives.

Here’s how organizations can take meaningful action:

Establish confidential support channels for employees experiencing abuse.
Train managers and HR teams to recognize signs of coercive control or distress.
Offer paid leave and flexible arrangements for those seeking safety or legal help.
Partner with national helplines or advocacy organizations to provide resources and workshops.
Promote a culture of respect and empathy, ensuring employees know help is available without stigma.

By making domestic abuse awareness part of CSR strategy, companies can play a critical role in breaking the silence that enables such violence to persist.

Key Takeaway

Aren Pearson, 41, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Claire Leveque, 24, in Shetland. The case exposed the lethal consequences of coercive control — and highlighted how leadership, empathy, and awareness are vital in preventing such tragedies in both personal and professional spaces.