Murder arrest after man's body found following summer solstice

The body of a man killed "in the most brutal way" was found at a Bronze Age stone circle in the Peak District.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after the 26-year-old victim was found at Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, Derbyshire, on Monday afternoon.

The discovery came after the celebration of the summer solstice, which falls on the longest day of the year, on Sunday.

Isaac Clare-Watts, from Nottingham, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 41-year-old man who was arrested remained in custody on Wednesday.

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Detective Inspector Tony Owen from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, who is leading the investigation, appealed for any witnesses who were at the solstice celebration between Friday and Tuesday to come forward.

He 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."

The stone circle is traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on a Sunday.

Det Insp Owen added: "We know that there have been a lot of people in the area of Nine Ladies Stone Circle over the weekend celebrating the summer solstice and this incident will undoubtedly be shocking and distressing to those who were present, as well as the wider community."

He also said that there will be increased police numbers at the site over the coming days and urged anyone with information to contact the officers.

Nine Ladies Stone Circle is part of a complex of prehistoric circles and standing stones on Stanton Moor.

Most of these are thought to date from the Bronze Age, around 3,000 to 4,000 years ago, according to the English Heritage website.

(c) Sky News 2026: Murder arrest after man's body found following summer solstice