She grew up with her older brother Chris after their parents died; with this event, the two developed a very close bond. When Chris joined the U.S. Air Force, she was introduced to his new friend, Barry Burton who would become a close family friend. After high school, Claire attended university, and developed interest in motorcycle customization, owning two motorcycles herself. She also specialized in lockpicking, becoming an expert. After her brother moved to Raccoon City with Burton to serve in Special Tactics and Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.), she would occasionally visit him to learn hand-to-hand combat and firearms training. In addition, she was also given by her brother of his golden lighter and S.T.A.R.S. knife. In August, Chris left for Europe to investigate Umbrella. After weeks of not hearing from her brother, she left her college in late September for Raccoon City to check on him. She stopped at a diner in the northern parts of the city, having failed to notice the rampant violence in the city, and was confronted by the murderous chef. Upon leaving, she was saved by rookie officer Leon S. Kennedy who decided they should drive to the station for safety. While approaching the Raccoon Police Department, they were separated by a fiery accident, and fought their way out to it. They soon discovered the station had fallen to the outbreak of the t-Virus. She did find Sherry Birkin, the daughter of Umbrella scientists William and Annette Birkin. They later crossed paths with a psychopathic Chief Irons, who was killed either by the mutated William or a G-embryo. As the two ventured into the sewers, Sherry was separated and was parasitized by a G-embryo.