Derek Sink, 39, was found dead inside a tanning bed at Planet Fitness in Indianapolis, Indiana. He went to the location on Friday, but his body was not discovered until Monday, November 11th. His concerned family reported him missing on Sunday. His ankle monitor was tracked to Planet Fitness, where his body was finally discovered. The gym had a sign on the door on the 11th, reading: “Tanning is currently unavailable.”
TW: This article contains depictions or discussions of substance abuse and may be triggering to some readers.
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Sink struggled with drugs
Sink’s family confirmed that the deceased had addiction problems. Sink was found with a needle in the room, and his mother, Karen Wetzel, told People that she wouldn’t be surprised if the toxicology reports came out positive for fentanyl in his system.
A gym member noticed a foul smell
Embed from Getty ImagesElizabeth Len reported smelling a foul smell when she went to the gym on Monday for her morning workout. She told WTHR that the smell grew stronger near the tanning bedrooms. She questioned how and why Sink’s body took so long to be discovered, as the gym was open from 7 AM to 7 PM.
A tragedy that could’ve been prevented
The family expressed their hopes of seeing stricter cleaning policies and suggested implementing an end-of-day checklist for staff so that such tragedy could be avoided in the future. Even Len threw the blame on “lack of attention from staff members,” and said that, “it could’ve been prevented.”
Wetzel recounts what happened on Friday
Wetzel recounts to People that the purpose of Sink’s visit to Planet Fitness was to get a gym membership with his girlfriend, Heather, and their daughter. Heather and their daughter went to a nearby TJMaxx and returned to find that Derek was seemingly no longer there. They noticed that his car was still in the parking lot, but it had allegedly been moved one spot from where it had been previously parked.
Something was wrong
When Heather and their daughter saw the car’s change in position, something didn’t sit right with them. They went searching for Sink in in Planet Fitness and a nearby strip mall, but couldn’t find him. Even Sink’s grandmother expressed her concern about his whereabouts.
The ankle monitor was of great help
When the family failed to locate him, they reported Sink missing on Sunday. Thanks to the ankle monitor, Sink’s probation officer went to his last known location — Planet Fitness — where he was sadly found dead the following Monday.
Wetzel remembers her son
Wetzel remembers her now-deceased son as “the kindest person,” with “the softest heart.” She also expressed how the loss has not been easy on her, and that she was waiting for the funeral to be done to “fall apart.”
More about Derek Sink
Wetzel also recalled how her late “beautiful” son, who was also the father of a 20-year-old boy, worked at a halfway house to aid those living with mental or physical issues in an attempt to turn his life around.
Indianapolis Metro Police Department issued a statement
“This remains an ongoing death investigation. The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) will determine the exact manner and cause of death,” A spokesperson told People on November 12th concerning Sink’s tragic death. No further details have been issued or discussed.
Planet Fitness’s chief corporate affairs officer issued a statement
“We were deeply saddened by the passing of one of our members, and the franchise owner is working with the local authorities in their investigation,” McCall Gosselin told People on November 12. “At Planet Fitness, we have robust operational brand protocols in place, as the safety and well-being of our members is our top priority. We are working closely with our local franchisee to ensure they are upholding those brand protocols,” Gosselin continued in his statement.
