A 41-year-old man has been released on bail after a 26-year-old man was found dead at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, Derbyshire. The victim has been identified as Isaac Clare-Watts.
The discovery was made on Monday morning, following a summer solstice event that took place at the stone circle over the weekend to mark the longest day of the year on June 21.
Isaac Clare-Watts' mother, Christy Clare, posted on social media about her son's death. "It breaks our hearts to let you all know that Isaac, son and brother, was found dead on Monday morning," she wrote, urging people to share photos and information to help identify those responsible.
Detective Inspector Tony Owen of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) is leading the investigation. "My priority, and that of the team, remains on finding out exactly what has happened to Isaac, and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice," Owen stated. He noted that the investigation has received a significant response from the public, with hundreds of messages, photos, and videos providing helpful information.
Investigators are still seeking information from anyone who was at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle over the weekend, as well as anyone who captured video footage of the site or dashcam footage of vehicles arriving or leaving. "While we have arrested one man in connection with this incident, the investigation is still very much ongoing and we are keeping an open mind so information from the public remains key," Owen added. The arrested man has since been released on bail.