Current:Home > NewsMother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments -StockSource
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
View
Date:2025-04-18 23:57:18
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! (2134)
Related
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Legal dispute facing Texan ‘Sassy Trucker’ in Dubai shows the limits of speech in UAE
- Stanford University president to resign following research controversy
- Need workers? Why not charter a private jet?
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Who are the Hunter Biden IRS whistleblowers? Joseph Ziegler, Gary Shapley testify at investigation hearings
- Janet Yellen says the U.S. is ready to protect depositors at small banks if required
- Teen Mom's Catelynn Lowell and Tyler Baltierra Share Rare Family Photo Of Daughter Carly
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Can the World’s Most Polluting Heavy Industries Decarbonize?
Ranking
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- Jobs and Technology Take Center Stage at Friday’s Summit, With Biden Pitching Climate Action as a Boon for the Economy
- Influencer says Miranda Lambert embarrassed her by calling her out — but she just wanted to enjoy the show
- The fight over the debt ceiling could sink the economy. This is how we got here
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Jack Daniel's v. poop-themed dog toy in a trademark case at the Supreme Court
- John Fetterman’s Evolution on Climate Change, Fracking and the Environment
- Inside Clean Energy: Where Can We Put All Those Wind Turbines?
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Oppenheimer 70mm film reels are 600 pounds — and reach IMAX's outer limit due to the movie's 3-hour runtime
Inside Clean Energy: The Rooftop Solar Income Gap Is (Slowly) Shrinking
Thousands of Amazon Shoppers Say This 50% Off Folding Makeup Mirror Is a Must-Have
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
Special counsel's office cited 3 federal laws in Trump target letter
Influencer says Miranda Lambert embarrassed her by calling her out — but she just wanted to enjoy the show
It's impossible to fit 'All Things' Ari Shapiro does into this headline