A man wearing a Texas Longhorns cap on the left. On the right, six people in life jackets are seated on a boat, with a scenic water and mountain backdrop.

Aaron Scheerhoorn Remembered with a Pacific Ocean Ceremony

By Johnny Trlica

In 2010, a young man was murdered on the streets of Montrose. It wasn’t the first time blood was shed on our streets nor was it the last. But this tragedy shook the community, driving Houston’s LGBTQ citizens to action and inspired the creation of a remembrance garden.

Now nearly 10 years later, friends of the victim are finally getting some closure.

Alone I Will Not Be

By Captain Chad Theesfeld
My comfort will come from the sea.
The stillness of calm waves will gently drift by
I will be as one with the sea.
When the sun sets on the ocean blue, remember me as I will always remember you.
As the sun rises…go live life as full as can be
Apart…you and me…but be at peace for I am free.
Set Free

Over nine years after his brutal murder that shook Houston’s LGBTQ community, Aaron Michael Scheerhoorn’s life was celebrated by a few close friends with a Pacific Ocean ceremony on Sunday, January 12.

Puerto Vallarta, on the west coast of Mexico, provided a picturesque setting as the group met to board a vessel to carry them about 15 miles out to sea. There, they encountered an albatross floating on a log, and a school of whales. A microphone was lowered into the water and their music serenaded the assembly, reminding everyone of their dear late friend’s love of music.

Following a moment of silence, a wreath was tossed into the water. Then with a final goodbye, Jon Pike released his ashes, setting Aaron free.

Alvin Linton said, “Aaron was my best friend and Jon’s partner. He was a carefree soul who lived life as he saw fit. He marched to the beat of his own drum. Even after almost 10 years all of his friends still miss him.â€

At the time of his death, Scheerhoorn was pursuing a career in the travel industry, while also attending classes at Houston Community College and Mixxwell Audio Lab. He had been employed by numerous well-known catering companies in Houston and aspired to one day start his own catering/events and promotion company. According to his obituary, “his ultimate goal was to create a unified musical event bringing all businesses in Montrose together to restore harmony to the community of Montrose which Aaron cared so much for.â€

Scheerhoorn was well-loved in the community with a strong passion for music and was an avid reader of many subjects including all aspects of religion, history, and philosophy. He was an inquisitive and passionate young man that loved to debate with others on almost any subject.

In 2011, the Montrose Remembrance Garden was dedicated to the memory of Scheerhoorn and other victims of violence in the community.

DNA nabs murderer

Scheerhoorn, who was 28, passed away on December 11, 2010, in Houston after a vicious attack in front of Blur Bar on Pacific Street. 

A 43-year old man was found guilty in the murder of Scheerhoorn on the sworn testimony of multiple witnesses and was given a life sentence. He was cleared in December of 2019 and released from prison after DNA obtained from Scheerhorn’s fingernails was tested, using new technology.

Only days later, a 41-year-old man, who was in custody in Georgia on unrelated crimes, was charged with the murder after the same DNA linked him to the crime. Investigators got a match to his DNA using an FBI database.

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