Reveller ‘murdered’ at Bronze Age stone circle died ‘brutal way’ 

A reveller was allegedly murdered ‘in the most brutal way’ at a Bronze Age stone circle during a summer solstice celebration, but the cause of his death is still a mystery, an inquest has heard.

Isaac Clare-Watts, 26, was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ near the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees in the Peak District, Derbyshire, at 1.38pm on Monday, June 22.

The cause of his death is still uncertain, as the coroner said she has not yet received Mr Clare-Watts’s post-mortem findings over a month after his alleged murder.

Polish national Szymon Babynko, 23, of Commonwealth Way, London, was charged with Mr Clare-Watts’s murder after appearing in court on June 29.

He has also been charged with attempted murder in relation to an incident in Hady Lane, Chesterfield, on June 25.

Police said Mr Clare-Watts was killed ‘in the most brutal way’, as they launched a major appeal for witnesses.

Coroner for Derby and Derbyshire Susan Evans opened his inquest at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court today but was not able to clarify how Mr Clare-Watts was killed without the results of his post-mortem.

The hearing was not attended by any family members.

A 41-year-old man had initially been arrested on suspicion of murder before he was bailed on June 25.

It is believed Isaac Clare-Watts, 26, (pictured) was murdered ‘in the most brutal way’ at the Peak District Bronze Age stone circle for the summer solstice

His inquest has opened today, but the coroner said she had not yet received the findings of his post-mortem

Polish national Szymon Babynko, 23, has been charged with Mr Clare-Watts’s murder. A police cordon is pictured at the scene

Mr Clare-Watts was believed to have attended the summer solstice celebrations with hundreds of other people, where there was singing and dancing to live music.

His family has also appealed for anyone who attended the event to speak to police, who said many of the partygoers could hold vital information.

The coroner said Mr Clare-Watts’s mother Christy had to identify her son’s body at the Leicester Royal Infirmary on June 24.

She wrote an emotional tribute to her son on social media: ‘It breaks our hearts to let you all know that Isaac, son and brother, was found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ on Monday morning.

‘Please share like mad, and thank you to those that have shared; please update with a pH๏τo. We need to know who did this to Isaac.’

She added: ‘We all know he was Isaac the Wonder Boy and that this will upset many. Contact is welcome, but please understand we have no words or no answers.’ 

Mr Clare-Watts was a joiner from Carrington in Nottingham. He died in grᴀssland near the early Bronze Age stone circle, which has stood for nearly 4,000 years.

He worked for West Bridgford building firm Frank Goulding Ltd after starting there as an apprentice in 2016.

Colleagues revealed he had recently returned from travelling and had hoped to continue exploring the world, including spending time in Thailand pursuing his pᴀssion for the martial art Muay Thai – a fighting style that originated there.

In a tribute, 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 pᴀssion of his.

‘Wonder Boy’ Mr Clare-Watts worked as a joiner and had ambitions to explore the world. He was ‘popular’ at work and known for his love of music, drumming and the martial art Muay Thai

The coroner said that the inquest will be postponed until criminal proceedings conclude in court. Officers are pictured at the scene

‘We are all very saddened to hear the tragic news and our prayers and sympathy go to his family.’

Mr Clare-Watts was known for his love of music and drumming and performed under the social media name ‘Bangs Drum’.

His friend Steve Farmer said in tribute: ‘A beautiful soul. An honour to have met and helped Isaac on his musical journey. No words. Absolute shock.’

Babynko is next due to appear at Derby Crown Court on September 25 and is expected to go on trial in November this year or March next year.

The coroner said the inquest would be suspended until the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

Ms Evans also expressed her condolences to Mr Clare-Watts’s family.

Officers are urgently appealing for anyone who attended the event between June 19 and June 23 – or who captured pH๏τographs or video footage – to come forward as detectives work to piece together the victim’s final movements.

They have already received hundreds of messages, pH๏τos, videos and ‘some really key pieces of information’, police said, adding that the ‘investigation is still very much ongoing’ and that they still need more.

According to English Heritage, Nine Ladies Stone Circle is ‘traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday’.

Set high on Stanton Moor, the stone circle has long attracted visitors marking the summer solstice.

But local residents said recent gatherings have become increasingly dominated by large-scale parties and raves.

One dog walker said: ‘We used to go up there 15 years ago and it was always a peaceful gathering with a lovely atmosphere.

‘In more recent years it has attracted a different type of crowd, and they hold raves and parties up there now.

‘There’s absolutely loads of people who turn up, there’s lots of drugs and loud music. What a tragedy for a young man to die like that.

‘The event has sort of evolved, and now it doesn’t reflect what that solstice is all about – like peace and love and respect. Most people up there aren’t celebrating the solstice; it’s just an excuse for a big party.’