Indianapolis police are investigating the death of a man found inside a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness gym three days after he entered. The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as 39-year-old Derek Sink. The tragic discovery has left many unanswered questions and prompted scrutiny over the incident.
On Monday morning, just before 8:30 a.m., the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department received a report of a body at Planet Fitness. Officers arrived to find Sink’s body in one of the tanning beds.
According to police records obtained by 13News, Sink’s family had last been in contact with him on Friday, Nov. 8, when he went to the gym. Concerned for his safety, his relatives reported him missing on Sunday, Nov. 10. Authorities confirmed that Sink, who was wearing an ankle monitor at the time, never left the gym.
“This remains an ongoing death investigation,” a spokesperson for Marion County told People. The police have not elaborated further on the details.
Sink’s family revealed that he had been struggling with drug addiction, and they claimed a needle was found in the tanning room where his body was discovered. The gym-goers had also noticed signs that something was amiss.
A woman who visited Planet Fitness on Nov. 11 said that she and other members were aware of a strong, foul odor that grew worse near the tanning rooms. “The tanning bed has a door, I believe, but still, why are we not concerned that the tanning bed has been closed for three days, potentially?” questioned Elizabeth Len, a member who spoke to 13News.
In response to the incident, Planet Fitness issued a statement expressing their sorrow. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of one of our members,” said McCall Gosselin, a spokesperson for Planet Fitness. “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.”
The gym chain emphasized their commitment to safety but did not address specific questions about how the tanning bed went unchecked for so long. As the investigation continues, police and medical officials are working to determine the exact cause of Sink’s death, while his family and the community await more answers.
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