Current:Home > NewsMother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments -DollarDynamic
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
View
Date:2025-04-20 22:59:25
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! (1)
Related
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Hollywood’s feast and famine before Thanksgiving, as ‘Hunger Games’ prequel tops box office
- Najee Harris 'tired' of Steelers' poor performances in 2023 season after loss to Browns
- Inside Former President Jimmy Carter and Wife Rosalynn Carter's 8-Decade Love Story
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Jared Leto Responds to Suggestion He Looks Like Scott Disick
- More military families are using food banks, pantries to make ends meet. Here's a look at why.
- 2024 NFL draft first-round order: Carolina Panthers continue to do Chicago Bears a favor
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Here are the Books We Love: 380+ great 2023 reads recommended by NPR
Ranking
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- NTSB investigators focus on `design problem’ with braking system after Chicago commuter train crash
- Alabama police chief says department policies violated in fatal shooting of Black man outside home
- Inside Former President Jimmy Carter and Wife Rosalynn Carter's 8-Decade Love Story
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Paul Azinger out as NBC golf analyst as 5-year contract not renewed
- Suspect arrested over ecstasy-spiked champagne that killed restaurant patron, hospitalized 7 others
- Jason Momoa makes waves as 'SNL' host, tells Dasani to 'suck it' during opening monologue
Recommendation
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
3 decades after teen's murder, DNA helps ID killer with a history of crimes against women
These Ninja Black Friday Deals Are Too Good To Miss With $49 Blenders, $69 Air Fryers, and More
Man shot in head after preaching on street and urging people to attend church
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
Does Black Friday or Cyber Monday have better deals? How to save the most in 2023.
Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp carted off field in ambulance after making tackle
Skip the shopping frenzy with these 4 Black Friday alternatives