Man arrested after body found at Peak District stone circle as victim named
A murder investigation was launched after the body of a man was found at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees in Derbyshire
Last updated 24th Jun 2026
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 26-year-old was found dead at a Bronze Age stone circle in the Peak District during a summer solstice event.
A murder investigation was launched after the body of a man was found at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees in Derbyshire at around 1.38pm on Monday.
He has now been named as Isaac Clare-Watts, from Nottingham.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and remains in custody, Derbyshire Police said on Wednesday afternoon.
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.”
Officers said a number of people were in the area over the weekend for the summer solstice and are urging anyone who was there between June 19 and 23, and anyone who has any video footage from the event during the same time period, to come forward.
The force is also asking anyone with dashcam footage of vehicles arriving and leaving over the weekend to contact officers.
Isaac was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services were called.
The circumstances of the his death are being investigated.
Detective Inspector Tony Owen, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), who is leading 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.
“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. I also really urge anyone who captured video footage from the event over the weekend to please come forward.
“You could play a key role in helping us with this murder investigation.”
Derby Mountain Rescue Team, which was called out to assist East Midlands Ambulance Service at the scene, said in a statement on Facebook: “Our thoughts are with the man’s friends and family at this difficult time.”
According to 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”.
A woman who visited the historic site for the solstice said the news was “very sad and upsetting”, adding she believes there should be more of a presence of medical organisations for such events, such as the St John’s Ambulance first aid charity.
A major incident portal has been set up at mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM25A84-PO1, or information can be given to police on 101 quoting reference 26*364216.