Current:Home > ContactMother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments -TrueNorth Finance Path
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
View
Date:2025-04-13 01:25:13
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! (6)
Related
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Is there a 'ManningCast' tonight? When Peyton, Eli Manning's ESPN broadcast returns
- Vance criticized an infrastructure law as a candidate then embraced it as a senator
- 7UP clears up rumors about mocktail-inspired flavor, confirms Shirley Temple soda is real
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Wyoming considers slight change to law allowing wolves to be killed with vehicles
- Epic flooding in North Carolina's 'own Hurricane Katrina'
- Frances Bean, Kurt Cobain's daughter, welcomes first child with Riley Hawk
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Angelina Jolie and 3 of Her Kids Make Rare Red Carpet Appearance at New York Film Festival
Ranking
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Jalen Milroe, Ryan Williams uncork an Alabama football party, humble Georgia, Kirby Smart
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Smooches
- 6 Things Kathryn Hahn Can't Live Without
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Attorneys for NYC Mayor Eric Adams seek dismissal of bribery charge brought by ‘zealous prosecutors’
- Conservative Christians were skeptical of mail-in ballots. Now they are gathering them in churches
- 'Never gotten a response like this': Denial of Boar's Head listeria records raises questions
Recommendation
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
The 26 Most Popular Amazon Products This Month: Double Chin Masks, $1 Lipstick, Slimming Jumpsuits & More
Hailey Bieber Debuts Hair Transformation One Month After Welcoming First Baby With Justin Bieber
When is daylight saving time 2024? What it means to 'fall back' in November
Average rate on 30
Attorneys for NYC Mayor Eric Adams seek dismissal of bribery charge brought by ‘zealous prosecutors’
No time for shoes as Asheville family flees by boat, fearing they lost everything
In Alabama, Trump goes from the dark rhetoric of his campaign to adulation of college football fans