- Family Court barrister dies at Crown
- John Pearson faces murder charge
- READ MORE: Woman’s body found
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A woman found dead at a luxury hotel in a suspected murder-suicide attempt has been identified as a respected Family Court barrister.
Alice McShera, 34, was found unresponsive in a Crown Towers hotel room at the Burswood entertainment complex, in Perth, at around 11.10am on Monday.
Cameron John Pearson, who had suffered what are believed to be self-inflicted injuries, was taken to hospital and into custody where he was refused bail by police.
The 42-year-old was unshaven and wore a forensic jumpsuit for his appearance before Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.
He faces one count of murder and will await his next appearance in Stirling Magistrates Court on November 22 while remanded in custody.
Respected and well-regarded Family Court barrister Alice McShera (pictured) was found dead in Perth’s Crown Towers on Monday
The small courtroom was packed with media and emotional family members and supporters of both Pearson and Ms McShera.
About half a dozen members of Perth’s legal fraternity sat in the public gallery showing obvious distress.
Pearson was not required to enter a plea and twice refused to acknowledge that he understood the charge despite speaking with his lawyer Reid Hogan during the proceedings.
He instead shrugged his shoulders in answer to Magistrate Stephen Butcher’s questions before being led out of the glass-walled defendants’ dock.
WA Police Inspector Geoff DeSanges said security at the hotel were sent to room after receiving a call from a family member.
‘A family member who was seeking to get hold of one of the people in that room had spoken to Crown Towers,’ he said outside court.
‘We’re still to identify the full circumstances of the relationship, and what brought about the events of yesterday.’
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Ms McShera was a well regarded lawyer, with about half a dozen of Perth’s legal fraternity in attendance for the man charged with her murder, Cameron Pearson’s, appearance in court
The small courtroom at Perth Magistrates Court was packed with media and distressed family members and supporters of both Pearson and Ms McShera (centre)
Ms McShera worked mainly in Family Court and was based at the Murray Chambers in the Perth CBD, according to its website.
She had more than 10 years experience as an advocate and barrister and was a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Western Australia and the Law Society of Western Australia.
She has also appeared in the WA Supreme Court of and Magistrates Court and previously worked as an associate to a WA Family Court judge.
In a tribute, Keegan Family Lawyers said: ‘Alice – you were a strong woman, a powerful woman, an amazing barrister and lawyer!
‘You fought for those who couldn’t fight for themselves. You were a friend, a colleague and someone to aspire to.
‘Our community will mourn your loss! You will be so missed. I am so sad.’
She was found unresponsive in Perth’s Crown Towers Hotel on Monday alongside Pearson, who had suffered what are believed to be self-inflicted injuries
The $650million Crown Towers in Perth includes 500 guest rooms and villas and was opened in 2016.
‘We can confirm police responded to an incident at Crown Towers Perth earlier today,’ a spokesperson from Crown Towers said in a brief statement.
‘Our team are assisting WA Police with their investigation, and we are supporting our team members.
‘Any further inquiries should be directed to WA Police.’
For confidential crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14
