A body of a 26-year-old man was discovered at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, Derbyshire, during a summer solstice gathering, prompting a murder investigation by Derbyshire Police. The incident occurred around 1:38 pm on Monday.
Authorities are reaching out to individuals who were present at the site between June 19 and 23 and are requesting anyone with event footage from that period to come forward. The victim, yet to be formally identified, was pronounced dead at the scene, with his family notified and provided support.
Detective Inspector Tony Owen of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) emphasized the urgency of speaking to event attendees to piece together the circumstances leading to the man’s tragic death. Owen stressed the importance of even brief witnesses coming forward, as they may possess critical information crucial to understanding the incident and providing closure for the victim’s family.
The Nine Ladies Stone Circle, an early Bronze Age monument, holds historical significance, symbolizing a story of nine ladies turned to stone as punishment for dancing on a Sunday.
A dedicated major incident portal has been established for providing information to the police regarding the case. Those with relevant details can contact authorities through the portal or by dialing 101 and quoting reference 26*364216.
