Derbyshire Police have confirmed that a body discovered at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees on Monday (June 22) is that of a 26-year-old man, named locally as Isaac Clare-Watts. Officers responded to reports at approximately 1:38pm and declared the man dead at the scene. The death has been described as 'brutal' by police.
Arrest and Investigation
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. The victim has not yet been formally identified, but his family has been informed and is receiving support from specially trained officers. Derbyshire Police are urging anyone who was at the stone circle over the weekend, particularly during the summer solstice celebrations on Sunday, to come forward. They are also seeking any video footage of the event or vehicles arriving and departing.
Tributes to Isaac Clare-Watts
Isaac Clare-Watts, a qualified joiner from Arnold, Nottingham, is being remembered as a 'very popular' man. He worked for Nottingham-based construction company Frank Goulding Ltd, joining in 2016 as an apprentice. The company issued a statement: '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.'
The statement continued: '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.'
Background
Mr Clare-Watts left his job late last year to travel and had recently returned to the UK, intending to continue his travels abroad. Police are continuing their investigation and have asked anyone with information to contact them on 101, quoting incident reference 26*364216.
