Man who killed Perth lawyer Alice McShera at Crown Towers sentenced to life in prison

A man who murdered a Perth barrister by hitting her on the head with a champagne bottle during their stay at the luxury Crown Towers complex has been sentenced to at least 19 years in prison.

Alice Rose McShera, 34, died after Cameron John Pearson struck her multiple times with the bottle in the hotel room they were sharing in 2023.

The Supreme Court heard that the pair had been in a turbulent relationship at the time, and that Pearson had attempted suicide after killing Ms McShera.

Prosecutor Justin Whalley described the killing as "brutal, senseless and unprovoked".

He told the court the pair had gone through periodic separations, and they had been known to use methamphetamine and dexamphetamine.

Just before the killing, their relationship has become increasingly volatile, Mr Whalley said.

'I killed a person I loved'

Pearson, 44, had pleaded guilty to murder in December, after trial dates had been set. His lawyer told the court he had no history of violence, saying the "offending conduct is entirely out of character".

Pearson kept his face turned towards the judge for the entire sentencing hearing, away from those in the public gallery, which was nearly full.

The court heard that Pearson had told police he had killed Ms McShera after she said she was going to leave him.

"I killed a person I loved," he said. "I know I did."

The couple had been staying at Crown Towers for several days. Mr Whalley told the court Ms McShera's father had called to check on her welfare and could not get through.

When security staff went to investigate, Pearson refused to let them in. After they gained access, Ms McShera's body was found on the bathroom floor with extensive head injuries, while Pearson had "self-inflicted wounds".

Pearson told a paramedic he had "hit her in the head" during an "altercation".

Partner violence

Justice Michael Gething said Ms McShera was vulnerable, being smaller in stature than Pearson, and she had health issues.

He said she was described as being "kind, loving, generous", and that she was a "courageous" woman who had always wanted to be a lawyer.

In a statement released after the sentencing, Ms McShera's employers Murray Chambers said she had been an "outstanding and fearless barrister with a very promising future".

The court heard Pearson was a boilermaker and had worked on a FIFO basis but was unemployed at the time of the killing.

The pair had met when Ms McShera was advising him on a legal matter.

Justice Gething said while he accepted that Pearson was remorseful, the case was a "serious example of intimate partner violence" and the sentence needed to reflect society's "abhorrence and intolerance" of such behaviour.

Pearson was sentenced to life in prison, but will be eligible for parole after serving 19 years.

Editor's note 19/3/26: This story has been updated to make it clear that Pearson was sentenced to life in prison but will be eligible for parole after 19 years.