Isaac Clare-Watts: Man found dead in suspected murder at summer solstice event in Derbyshire named by police
A man who died in a suspected murder at a summer solstice event has been named by police.
Isaac Clare-Watts, 26, from Nottingham, was found at the Nine Ladies’ Stone Circle at Stanton Lees in Derbyshire’s Peak District at around 1.38pm on Monday.
Derbyshire Police said a 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and remains in custody.
In an earlier statement, the Peak District National Park Authority said: “We have been made aware of the tragic news and the investigation is being carried out by our colleagues in the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.
“We stand with the young man’s family during this difficult time.”
Officers said large numbers of people were in the area over the summer solstice weekend and are appealing for anyone who was there between June 19 and 23, and anyone with any video footage of the incident during the same period, to come forward.
Police are also appealing for anyone with dashcam footage of vehicles arriving and departing over the weekend to contact officers.
Detective Inspector Tony Owen, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), who is leading the investigation, previously said: “I would appeal to anyone who attended the summer solstice event at the weekend to speak to officers as soon as possible.
“A young man’s life was taken in the most brutal way, so it is vital that I and my team establish a clear picture of the exact circumstances surrounding his death.
“That’s why we urgently need to speak to everyone who was at the scene over the weekend.
“You may have only been there for a short time and you may feel like you can’t help, but you can hold the important information we need to understand what happened and help us get justice for this young man’s family.
“Therefore, if you attended the event, I ask that you please contact us urgently so that we can build a picture of the incident and what led to this man’s death.
“I would also like to encourage anyone who took video footage of the weekend’s event to please come forward.
“You can play an important role in helping us with this murder investigation.”
Derby Mountain Rescue Team, who were called to the scene to assist East Midlands Ambulance Service, said in a statement on Facebook: “Our thoughts are with the man’s friends and family at this difficult time.”
According to English Heritage, the Nine Women Stone Circle is a small Early Bronze Age stone circle “traditionally believed to depict nine women being turned to stone as punishment for dancing on Sunday.”
A woman who visited the historic site for the solstice said the news was “very sad and saddening”, adding that she believed medical organizations such as the St John Ambulance first aid charity should be more present for such events.
A major incident portal has been set up at mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM25A84-PO1 or information can be made to police on 101 quoting reference 26*364216.
