Current:Home > ScamsMother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments -RiskRadar
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
View
Date:2025-04-18 05:45:10
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! (146)
Related
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn is ending her retirement at age 40 to make a skiing comeback
- UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight card, odds, how to watch, date
- Lost luggage? This new Apple feature will let you tell the airline exactly where it is.
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Florida man’s US charges upgraded to killing his estranged wife in Spain
- Sofia Richie Reveals 5-Month-Old Daughter Eloise Has a Real Phone
- Atlanta man dies in shootout after police chase that also kills police dog
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Conviction and 7-year sentence for Alex Murdaugh’s banker overturned in appeal of juror’s dismissal
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight card, odds, how to watch, date
- King Charles III celebrates 76th birthday amid cancer battle, opens food hubs
- College football Week 12 expert picks for every Top 25 game include SEC showdowns
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Amazon's 'Cross' almost gets James Patterson detective right: Review
- South Carolina to take a break from executions for the holidays
- Today’s Savannah Guthrie, Al Roker and More React to Craig Melvin Replacing Hoda Kotb as Co-Anchor
Recommendation
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
Study finds Wisconsin voters approved a record number of school referenda
Craig Melvin replacing Hoda Kotb as 'Today' show co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie
Sofia Richie Reveals 5-Month-Old Daughter Eloise Has a Real Phone
Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
Businesses at struggling corner where George Floyd was killed sue Minneapolis
Outgoing North Carolina governor grants 2 pardons, 6 commutations
Don't Miss Cameron Diaz's Return to the Big Screen Alongside Jamie Foxx in Back in Action Trailer