UK4 min(s) read
Published 09:46 25 Jun 2026 GMT
A man was found dead after attending a summer solstice gathering at the Bronze Age stone circle in the Peak District, UK.
Isaac Clare-Watts, 26, from Nottingham, was discovered at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees after police were called to reports of a man's body at 1:38PM on Monday.
Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Derbyshire Police have arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of murder. He remains in custody while detectives continue their investigation, The Guardian reported.
Law enforcement is now urging anyone who attended the celebrations over the weekend to come forward as they work to find out exactly what happened.
Detective Inspector Tony Owen 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," Owen continued. "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.
"So I would ask, please, that if you attended the event, you contact us urgently so we can build up a picture of the event itself and what has led to this man's death," he added.
Police are also asking anyone who was in the area between June 19 and June 23 to get in touch, particularly if they have photos or videos from the event.
Officers are additionally seeking dashcam footage showing vehicles arriving at or leaving the site over the weekend.
Before leaving late last year to travel, Isaac worked as a joiner for Nottingham-based construction firm Frank Goulding Ltd.
It is understood he had recently returned to the UK and had been planning to continue travelling around the world.
Paying tribute, the company said: "Isaac joined us as a young man in 2016 to pursue a career in construction.
"He successfully completed his joinery apprenticeship and developed into a very skilled joiner.
"Isaac was a very popular member of our team and decided last year he wanted to take some time and go and see the world, in particular spending some time in Thailand to develop his Muay Thai skills, which was a passion of his.
"We are all very saddened to hear the tragic news and our prayers and sympathy go to his family," they added.
People familiar with the area said the historic spot had hosted multiple parties and raves in recent days.
One local dog walker, who asked not to be named, 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," they continued. "There's absolutely loads of people who turn up, there's lots of drugs and loud music... I wouldn't be surprised if it is connected to that but 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," they added.
Per English Heritage, Nine Ladies Stone Circle is a small early Bronze Age stone circle "traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday."
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