A young man's life has been brutally cut short at a Peak District landmark synonymous with ancient rituals and mythological tales. Isaac Clare-Watts, 26, from Nottingham, was discovered dead at the Nine Ladies stone circle in Stanton Lees on Monday afternoon, sparking a murder investigation that is being treated as a priority by Derbyshire Police.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. The police are urging anyone who attended the summer solstice event at the ancient monument between Friday, 19 June, and Tuesday, 23 June to come forward with information, however small it may seem. Detectives are keen to review eyewitness accounts and video footage captured during the specified weekend.
Officers from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, led by DI Tony Owen, are working tirelessly to build a comprehensive picture of the events leading up to Mr Clare-Watts' death. They are specifically requesting any dashcam footage from vehicles arriving at or leaving the area during the same period.
The Nine Ladies stone circle is an early Bronze Age monument with a rich history, traditionally associated with a legend of nine women turned to stone for dancing on a Sunday. Its significance as a site for annual solstice gatherings means that a considerable number of people would have been present, making witness cooperation crucial to the ongoing police inquiry.