Current:Home > FinanceMother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments -Elevate Capital Network
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
View
Date:2025-04-18 09:58:30
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! (65)
Related
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- The Carry-On Luggage Our Shopping Editors Swear By: Amazon, Walmart, Beis and More as Low as $40
- New York sues PepsiCo Inc. for plastic pollution, alleging the company contaminated drinking water
- Terry Taylor, trailblazing Associated Press sports editor, dies at age 71
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Matthew Perry’s ‘Friends’ costars reminiscence about the late actor
- Australia proposes law to allow prison time for high-risk migrants who breach visa conditions
- A car struck a barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo. Police reportedly arrested the driver
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- The odyssey of asylum-seekers and the failure of EU regulations
Ranking
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Xi-Biden meeting seen as putting relations back on course, even as issues remain unresolved
- Voting begins in Madagascar presidential election boycotted by most opposition leaders
- MLB Cy Young Awards: Yankees' Gerrit Cole is unanimous, Padres lefty Blake Snell wins second
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Nicaragua’s exiled clergy and faithful in Miami keep up struggle for human rights at Mass
- South Africa refers Israel to ICC over Gaza attacks as pressure mounts to cut diplomatic ties
- Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig seeks accountability for attacker ahead of his sentencing
Recommendation
Travis Hunter, the 2
Justin Timberlake's Red Carpet Reunion With *NSYNC Doubled as a Rare Date Night With Jessica Biel
Turkish parliamentary committee to debate Sweden’s NATO membership bid
Biden announces 5 federal judicial nominees, including first Muslim American to U.S. circuit court if confirmed
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
'I just want her to smile': Texas family struggles after pit bull attacks 2-year-old girl
Why buying groceries should be less painful in the months ahead
'Next Goal Wins' roots for the underdogs