The victim found dead at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle has been identified locally, as detectives continue to investigate his death.
A “very popular” man found dead at a Bronze Age stone circle in the Peak District during a summer solstice event has been named locally.
Isaac Clare-Watts, qualified joiner from Arnold, Nottinghamshire, is believed to be the victim whose body was discovered at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, Derbyshire, on Monday June 22. Emergency services were called to the scene just before 1.40pm following reports that a man’s body had been found.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and remains in police custody.
Mr Clare-Watts had worked for Nottingham building firm Frank Goulding Ltd, which described him as a “very popular member” of its team.
The company said: “Isaac joined us as a young man in 2016 to pursue a career in construction. He successfully completed his joinery apprenticeship and developed into a very skilled joiner.
“Isaac was a very popular member of our team and decided last year he wanted to take some time and go and see the world, in particular spending some time in Thailand to develop his Muay Thai skills, which was a passion of his.
“We are all very saddened to hear the tragic news and our prayers and sympathy go to his family.”
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 footage from the event during the same time period, to come forward.
Detective Inspector Tony Owen from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), who is leading the investigation, previously said the man’s life had been taken in the “most brutal way”.
He stated: “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.”
A major incident portal has been set up at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM25A84-PO1 or information can be given to police via 101 quoting reference 26*364216.
