Current:Home > ScamsMother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments -GrowthProspect
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
View
Date:2025-04-19 01:23:56
More has come to light about Derek Sink's death.
Three days after his body was found in a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness gym in Indianapolis, his mother shared more insight into the harrowing incident.
Karen Wetzel believes that her son's toxicology report will come back with fentanyl in his system, she told People in an interview published Nov. 13. She emphasized that despite Sink's history with drug addiction (a syringe was found in the room with him, according to his family), he was "a human being with value and worth."
She recalled the 39-year-old as "the kindest person" with "the softest heart," per the outlet.
Karen explained that Sink—who was charged with possession of a narcotic drug and possession of a controlled substance last year, according to Marion County Superior Court records, per NBC News—had gone to sign up for a gym membership on Nov. 8 while his girlfriend Heather and her daughter were in a TJMaxx nearby.
The pair went to find Sink—who was wearing an ankle monitor as part of his plea agreement, along with drug testing—but went home after being unable to locate him. They reported him missing on Nov. 10 and his probation officer found his body the day after when she went to his last known location.
Although it took days to locate Sink's body, a local woman who was visiting the facility revealed that she noticed a putrid smell near the tanning beds after entering the building.
"The tanning bed has a door, I believe," Elizabeth Len told WTHR in an interview published Nov. 12. "But still, why are we not concerned that the tanning bed has been closed for three days, potentially?"
After Sink's body was discovered, Planet Fitness expressed their condolences and emphasized the dedication to safety in their facilities.
"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, Planet Fitness' chief corporate affairs officer, said in a Nov. 12 statement to E! News. "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."
(E! News and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (78952)
Related
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- California Man Arrested After Allegedly Eating Leg of Person Killed by Train
- You might spot a mountain lion in California, but attacks like the one that killed a man are rare
- Former state senator Tom Campbell drops bid for North Dakota’s single U.S. House seat
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Judge tosses out X lawsuit against hate-speech researchers, saying Elon Musk tried to punish critics
- Los Angeles Rams signing cornerback Tre'Davious White, a two-time Pro Bowler
- Why Eva Mendes Quit Acting—And the Reason Involves Ryan Gosling
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Should college essays touch on race? Some feel the affirmative action ruling leaves them no choice
Ranking
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Pennsylvania train crash highlights shortcomings of automated railroad braking system
- Cleveland Cavaliers unveil renderings for state-of-the-art riverfront training center
- Sister Wives' Hunter Brown Shares How He Plans to Honor Late Brother Garrison
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Supreme Court seems poised to reject abortion pill challenge after arguments over FDA actions
- EU investigating Apple, Google and Meta's suspected violations of new Digital Markets Act
- Halle Berry reveals perimenopause was misdiagnosed as the 'worst case of herpes'
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
'The Bachelor's' surprising revelation about the science of finding a soulmate
Kansas moves to join Texas and other states in requiring porn sites to verify people’s ages
FBI says Alex Murdaugh lied about where money stolen from clients went and who helped him steal
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
How will the Baltimore bridge collapse affect deliveries? What to know after ship collision
California’s Latino Communities Most at Risk From Exposure to Brain-Damaging Weed Killer
Trader Joe's bananas: Chain is raising price of fruit for first time in 20 years