One of the last social media posts of a woman, who was killed in an alleged domestic violence incident at one of Australia’s most luxurious hotels, showed she was “loving life” before her death.
The body of 34-year-old family law lawyer Alice Rose McShera was found at Crown Towers Perth, in Burswood, on Monday morning.
On her Facebook page on Sunday, McShera had posted about staying at the hotel, telling followers she was “staying the night before my next surgery … drinking Dom (Perignon champagne), watching old DVDs and loving life.”
He thanked his best friend for the hotel stay, a fellow lawyer he called “The Best Lawyer.”
Cameron John Pearson, 42, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning, charged with McShera’s murder.
The body of Alice Rose McShera was found in Burswood, Australia, on Monday morning. Alice McShera / Facebook
He was also allegedly found at the scene with self-inflicted wounds but was able to stand during his appearance before Magistrate Stephen Butcher.
Homicide squad detectives charged the Lake Bibra man with murder on Monday night.
Pearson, represented by solicitor Reid Hogan, wore a white forensic jumpsuit and was unshaven.
He had to be asked repeatedly if he understood the murder charge against him.
Magistrate Butcher remanded Pearson in custody to face Stirling Gardens Magistrates’ Court on November 22.
Police believe McShera was killed in an alleged domestic violence incident at Perth’s Crown Towers, a luxury hotel. Alice McShera / Facebook
Outside court, supporters of McShera, believed to be family members, declined to comment to waiting media.
Emergency services were called to the hotel at about 8:10pm on Sunday after reports of a woman being found dead in a room.
St John Ambulance paramedics treated McShera at the scene but he could not be saved.
Police said Pearson, understood to be his partner, suffered “serious self-inflicted injuries.”
WA Police Inspector Geoff Desanges told media on Tuesday that Crown security staff checked the hotel room after receiving a call from a concerned family member.
On her Facebook page on Sunday, McShera had posted about staying at the hotel, telling followers she was “staying the night before my next surgery … drinking Dom (Perignon champagne), watching old DVDs and loving life.” Facebook
“A family member who wants to get hold of one of the people in the room has spoken to Crown Towers,” he said.
“We are still identifying the full circumstances of the relationship, and what led to (Monday’s) events.”
McShera allegedly suffered head injuries consistent with a “blunt instrument.”
“There appears to have been a period of time between the woman being injured and the police being called to the hotel,” Inspector Desanges said.
A Crown Resorts spokesperson issued a brief statement following Ms McShera’s death.
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“We can confirm police responded to an incident at Crown Towers Perth earlier today,” the statement said.
“Our team is assisting WA Police with their investigation, and we support our team members.”
Perth’s $411 million Crown Tower, which includes 500 guest rooms and villas, opened in 2016.
McShera is based at Murray Chambers in Perth.
His profile says he’s “an experienced defense attorney who appears and advises as counsel in all family law and restraining orders.”
Before starting practice as an independent lawyer, McShera practiced as a senior associate in a boutique family law firm and, prior to that, was a legal associate to a WA Family Court judge for four years.
He obtained a Master of Laws from the Australian National University in 2015 and is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Western Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia.
Tributes have poured in for Ms McShera, including a joint statement from the Law Society of Western Australia and the Bar Association of Western Australia.
“On behalf of our respective associations and our members, we extend our sympathies and condolences to Ms. McShera’s family,” said Law Society President Ante Golem and Bar Association President Brahma Dharmananda.
Keegan Family Lawyers said in a social media post that Ms McShera was “a strong woman, a powerful woman, a great lawyer and attorney.”
Cameron John Pearson, 42, has been charged with McShera’s murder.NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith
“You fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. You are a friend, a colleague, and someone to aspire to. I can’t believe you were taken from us.
“Our community will mourn your loss! You will be greatly missed. I am very sad.”
Murray Chambers said everyone had been “deeply shocked by the terrible news about our respected and much-loved colleague and friend.”
“Alice is an experienced and highly capable barrister who has become part of the Murray Chambers family,” the statement said.
“The profession will be the poorer for its loss. Our hearts go out to Alice’s family and friends at this time.”
Clement and Co Family and Criminal Lawyers said they were “deeply shocked and saddened.”
Alice McShera’s family are pictured after a man appeared in court charged with her murder. NCA NewsWire
“A senseless life taken in unimaginable circumstances,” they said.
“Let us remember Alice not for the tragic circumstances of her passing, but for the positive impact she had on so many lives.
“Our condolences go out to Alice’s family, friends and colleagues at Murray Chambers.
“We share their grief and offer our unwavering support during this difficult time.”
Anti-domestic violence organization White Ribbon Australia said McShera was the 43rd woman to die this year from alleged violence.
Prior to becoming an independent solicitor, McShera practiced as a senior associate in a boutique family law firm and, prior to that, was a law associate to a WA Family Court judge. Alice McShera / Facebook
“We are faced with a shocking reality that should make us all feel equal parts anger and sadness – on average, a woman is allegedly murdered every nine days in Australia,” chief executive Melissa Perry said in a statement.
Perry says the time for silence and indifference has passed.
“As a country, we need to do more to change this unacceptable set of statistics,” he said.
“We also need to recognize that this will not happen without greater investment across all areas of the domestic violence and family abuse sector.
“These include key prevention strategies and education campaigns to stop violence before it starts, behavior change programs for men who have chosen to use violence and survivor support services.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
