Inquest Opens Into Death of Man Found at Peak District Stone Circle During Solstice

An inquest has opened into the death of a 26-year-old man found at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District during summer solstice celebrations, in a case police are treating as a violent…

An inquest has opened into the death of a 26-year-old man found at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District during summer solstice celebrations, in a case police are treating as a violent killing.

Isaac Clare-Watts, from Nottingham, was discovered at the Bronze Age monument in Stanton Lees at approximately 1:38pm on June 22, following reports of an incident during the solstice event. The death has prompted a murder investigation by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.

Post-Mortem Results Awaited

At the hearing on Monday, Coroner Susan Evans confirmed that authorities are awaiting the final findings of a post-mortem examination to establish the official cause of death. Police have appealed for information from anyone who attended solstice celebrations at the site between June 19 and June 23.

Murder Charge and Separate Incidents

A 23-year-old man, Szymon Babynko, has been charged with murder in connection with Clare-Watts' death. Babynko also faces charges of attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon relating to a separate incident on June 25.

Coroner Evans formally suspended the inquest on Monday pending the outcome of the criminal trial. Babynko is scheduled to appear at Derby Crown Court on September 25.

Trial Timeline

The trial is currently expected to take place in either November 2026 or March 2027. The inquest will remain suspended until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, after which the coroner's office will determine whether further investigation into the circumstances of the death is required.