Body Discovered at Ancient Stone Circle Sparks Murder Inquiry
The Nine Ladies Stone Circle, an ancient monument approximately 4,000 years old and a traditional site for summer solstice celebrations, has become the focus of a murder investigation following the discovery of a man's body.
Emergency services were dispatched to the Nine Ladies Stone Circle located in Stanton Lees, near Darley Dale, at approximately 13:40 BST on Monday after reports of a body. Derbyshire Police confirmed that a 26-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Inspector Tony Owen, leading the investigation, addressed the situation:
"We know that there have been a lot of people in the area 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."
The deceased has not yet been formally identified; however, police have informed his family and are providing support through specialist officers.
Historical Significance of the Site
The Nine Ladies Stone Circle is reputed to symbolize nine petrified ladies, with the nearby King Stone representing the fossilized fiddler who played for them. This monument serves as a central point for summer solstice festivities, which commemorate the longest day of the year, observed on 21 June this year.
Investigation and Community Appeal
Det Insp Owen, affiliated with the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, has urged witnesses and anyone with relevant information to come forward:
"We know people have been coming and going from the area over the course of the weekend, so it is vital that anyone who was in attendance at any point over the weekend speaks to officers.
We know that this will be of concern to people, however, and there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days so I'd urge anyone with any concerns to please speak to an officer."
Contact Information
Members of the public are encouraged to share any information that may assist the investigation. For those wishing to contribute story ideas or report relevant details, BBC Derby can be contacted via email at eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or through WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Additionally, listeners can tune into BBC Radio Derby on Sounds or follow BBC Derby on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
