Murder investigation launched after man's body found following summer solstice event at prehistoric stone circle

A murder investigation has been launched after a man's body was found at a Bronze Age stone circle in the Peak District.

Investigators described the man's life as being taken in "the most brutal way" after a body was found at Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees, Derbyshire, at 1.38pm on Monday.

Emergency services went to the scene, but a 26-year-old man was pronounced dead.

The discovery came after the celebration of the summer solstice, which falls on the longest day of the year, on Sunday.

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Detective Inspector Tony Owen from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, who is leading the investigation, appealed for any witnesses who were at the solstice celebration between Friday and Tuesday to come forward.

He said: "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."

The stone circle is traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on a Sunday.

Police said the man has not yet been officially identified and an investigation into the circumstances of his death is ongoing.

Det Insp Owen added: "We know that there have been a lot of people in the area of Nine Ladies Stone Circle over the weekend celebrating the summer solstice and this incident will undoubtedly be shocking and distressing to those who were present, as well as the wider community."

He also said that there will be increased police numbers at the site over the coming days and urged anyone with information to contact the officers.

Nine Ladies Stone Circle is part of a complex of prehistoric circles and standing stones on Stanton Moor.

Most of these are thought to date from the Bronze Age, around 3,000 to 4,000 years ago, according to the English Heritage website.

(c) Sky News 2026: Murder investigation launched after man's body found following summer solstice