A man has appeared in court charged with murder of a Canadian woman who was found dead just months after moving to Shetland.
Claire Leveque’s body was discovered by emergency services after they raced to a property in Sandness on the west of the island on Sunday afternoon.
Locals were told to stay inside their homes as the area was sealed off on the evening of the incident.
Aren Pearson, 39, has now appeared in private at Lerwick Sheriff Court charged with murdering 24-year-old Ms Leveque.
Pearson, of Shetland, made no plea and was remanded in custody. He is set to make another appear within the next eight days.
Claire Leveque, 24, was pronounced dead at a property in Sandness on Shetland
A 39-year-old man is due to appear at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday charged in connection with her death
Pearson was also taken to hospital for treatment following the incident.
Neighbours have claimed Leveque had only been living on the island for a matter of months before her death.
Liz Peterson, councillor for Shetland West, told how her death has come as a ‘huge shock’ to the community.
She 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.
Neighbours have claimed Leveque had only been living on the island for a matter of months before her death
Liz Peterson, councillor for Shetland West, told how her death has come as a ‘huge shock’ to the community
‘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 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.’
A spokesperson for Shetland Women’s Aid added: ‘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.’