A murder investigation is underway after a man’s body was discovered at an ancient stone circle in the UK during a Summer Solstice gathering.
Police said a 26-year-old man died ‘in the most brutal way’.
His body was found at the 4,000-year-old Nine Ladies Stone Circle in the Peak District, Derbyshire, at around 1:38pm on June 22, 2026, after people had gathered there for the solstice event.
Derbyshire Police said the man has not yet been formally identified, but his family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.
A 41-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of murder. Officers have also said they are keen to speak to anyone who attended the site between Friday June 19 and Tuesday June 23, and anyone with photographs or video footage from that period.
Police have warned there will be an increased presence in the area while enquiries continue, and have urged anyone with concerns to speak to an officer.
English Heritage says the Nine Ladies Stone Circle is ‘traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday’, and it is one of a number of ancient sites on Stanton Moor that draw people during summer solstice celebrations.
Detective Inspector Lorna Granville, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, urged witnesses to make contact ‘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,” she said.
“This is why we urgently need to speak to everyone who was at the scene over the weekend.”
People living in the surrounding area said the monuments often attract gatherings around the summer solstice, with some describing parties and raves taking place there.
One dog-walker, who asked not to be identified, said they had visited the area around 15 years ago and remembered that ‘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,” they said.
“There’s absolutely loads of people who turn up, there’s lots of drugs and loud music.”
They added: “The event has sort of evolved and now it doesn’t reflect what the solstice is 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.”
Anyone with information can use the major public incident portal set up by police, call 101, or contact officers through social media, quoting incident reference 26*364216.