Claire Leveque is finally home.
The 24-year old Westlock woman who was murdered in the Shetland Islands in February, had her remains cremated at the end of March, and is now back in Canada with her family.
Claire returned home on April 14, following a process of repatriation, said father Clint Leveque, who shared about the emotional homecoming for his daughter.
“They’re in my possession now,” said Leveque. “There’s a sense of relief. Of course, it’s not the way you’d like to pick up your daughter after not seeing her for such a long time. It brings closure.”
Leveque and his late wife Kathleen raised their children, daughter Claire and son William in Westlock and both attended Westlock Elementary School and R.F. Staples School. Kathleen passed away five years ago after a brave battle with breast cancer.
Leveque said he has plans for Claire’s remains, which will most likely take place this summer.
“Eventually, my plans are to move her and spread her (ashes) with my amazing wife that died, and Claire’s going to be with her mother. That’s where she’d want to be,” he said, noting an undisclosed location in Alberta.
In an update on Claire’s GoFundMe page April 22, family spokesperson and organizer Chris Wallis said “with a sense of relief we are pleased to confirm on behalf of Clint that Claire has arrived home in Canada and is now in the hands of her family.”
Wallis shared the family’s relief of repatriating Claire remains, but noted that relief was “compromised by the horrific reality of the manner of death and pending court proceedings.”
“We want to continue to express our deep gratitude for the support and assistance received from around the world,” said Wallis.
While the outpouring of support from friends, family and Westlock residents continues, which Leveque said he is grateful for, he noted the “long battle with the courts” in the next couple of years.
In an email Tuesday morning, Andrew Coyle with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service media relations team said that once a body is released, they have no part in the repatriation process. However, he did note that “investigation is ongoing and no court dates have been set.”
