See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS REPORTER Published: 18:01 BST, 24 June 2026 | Updated: 18:04 BST, 24 June 2026
A 26-year-old man found dead at a Bronze Age stone circle following a summer solstice event in the Peak District has been pictured for the first time.Isaac Clare-Watts was found dead at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, Derbyshire, on Monday afternoon, having lost his life 'in the most brutal way'.A 41-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.Emergency services were called to the remote beauty spot at around 1.38pm on Monday, where Mr Clare-Watts was pronounced dead at the scene.Derbyshire Police said his family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers.He was described by family and friends as a 'wonder' and a 'beautiful soul'.Officers are urgently appealing for anyone who attended the event between June 19 and June 23 - or who captured photographs or video footage - to come forward as detectives work to piece together the victim's final movements.Police believe hundreds of people may be able to help the investigation after revellers gathered at the ancient landmark over the weekend to mark the summer solstice. Locals visiting the area today said there had been multiple parties and raves held at the beauty spot over the last few days.Isaac Clare-Watts was found dead at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, Derbyshire, on Monday afternoon The victim was found dead at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, Derbyshire, on Monday afternoonOne dog-walker said: 'We used to go up there 15 years ago and it was always a peaceful gathering with a lovely atmosphere.'In more recent years it has attracted a different type of crowd and they hold raves and parties up there now. 'What a tragedy for a young man to die like that.'The event has sort of evolved and now it doesn't reflect what the solstice is about - like peace and love and respect.'Most people up there aren't celebrating the solstice, it's just an excuse for a big party.'The amount of rubbish which gets left up there is disgraceful.'Police have been going through all the bins and rubbish today looking for clues.'The 4,000-year-old stone circle is said to represent nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday.The monument is a focus for summer solstice celebrations, to mark the longest day of the year, which took place on 21 June this year.Detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) are leading the inquiry and believe witnesses who attended the solstice celebrations could hold vital clues about what happened.Detective Inspector Tony Owen, who is heading the investigation, said: 'I am urgently appealing for anyone who attended the summer solstice event over the weekend to please speak to officers as soon as they can.'A young man's life has been taken in the most brutal way so it is vital that myself and the team build up a clear picture of the exact circumstances surrounding his death.'This is why we urgently need to speak to everyone who was at the scene over the weekend.'You may have only been there briefly and think you can't help, but you could hold the key piece of information we need to understand what has happened and help us to get justice for this young man's family.'Police are keen to hear from anyone at the site over the weekend, as well as anyone with video of the solstice event or dashcam footage of vehicles arriving and leaving the site.Anyone getting in touch should quote reference number 26*364216.In a statement, the Peak District National Park Authority said: 'We have been made aware of the tragic news and the investigation is being handled by our colleagues at the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.'Our condolences are with the young man's family during this difficult time.'The Nine Ladies Stone Circle is one of Derbyshire's best-known prehistoric monuments. According to English Heritage, the small early Bronze Age site is 'traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday'.
