Man killed in ‘most brutal way’ at summer solstice event is identified

A 26-year-old man whose body was discovered near an ancient stone circle in England has now been identified, as police continue investigating what they described as a “brutal” killing.

Authorities confirmed that the victim was Isaac Clare-Watts, of Nottingham. His body was found Monday afternoon at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, Derbyshire.

The discovery came just one day after people gathered at the Bronze Age monument for annual summer solstice celebrations.

Isaac Clare-Watts

In a statement released Wednesday, June 24, Derbyshire Police said: “We were called to reports of a man’s body being found at Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees at 1.38pm on Monday 22 June,” according to LADbible.

The statement continued: “Isaac Clare-Watts, from Nottingham, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The 26-year-old’s family have now released this image of him and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

“We remain keen to hear from anyone who was at the site over the weekend, as well as anyone with video footage from the summer solstice event, and dashcam footage of vehicles arriving and leaving over the weekend.

“A Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) has been set up where members of the public can send us information directly.”

Police have arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of murder in connection with the case.

“We are all very saddened to hear the tragic news”

Friends and former colleagues have since paid tribute to Clare-Watts, who previously worked as a joiner before leaving the U.K. to travel the world. According to Metro, he had only recently returned after spending time abroad.

His former employer, Frank Goulding Ltd, remembered him as a valued member of the team.

“Isaac joined us as a young man in 2016 to pursue a career in construction,” he said, according to LADbible.

“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.”

Police are urging witnesses to come forward

Detective Inspector Tony Owen, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), said investigators believe many people were in the area during the summer solstice gathering and urged anyone who attended to contact police.

“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,” Det Insp Owen said.

“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.”

READ MORE