A tragic incident unfolded at a Planet Fitness gym in Indianapolis, Indiana, where a missing man was discovered dead in a tanning bed three days after he entered the facility. The man, identified as 39-year-old Derek Sink, was found early Monday morning after gym members reported a foul smell upon arriving for their workouts.
According to local authorities, Sink, who had been struggling with drug use, entered the gym on Friday but never left. His family reported him missing on Sunday, and investigators later confirmed through tracking data from an ankle monitor that he had remained inside the gym. The discovery was made around 9 a.m. on Monday, when gymgoer Elizabeth Len noticed the unpleasant odor and followed it to the tanning area, where she found the source.
The Marion County Coroner’s office identified Sink’s body and has launched an investigation into his cause of death, although no foul play is suspected. A needle was found near his body, adding to the complexity of the situation. Sink had been wearing an ankle monitor, which helped authorities track his movements leading up to his discovery.
Planet Fitness has responded with a statement expressing sorrow over the loss. McCall Gosselin, the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Planet Fitness, said, “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.” The company emphasized its commitment to member safety and has been reviewing its operational protocols in light of the incident.
The gym has since closed the tanning facilities, and Sink’s family has called for stricter cleaning policies to be put in place. Tributes have poured in for Sink, with friends and loved ones expressing their grief online.
This tragic event is reminiscent of another recent workplace incident, where a 19-year-old Walmart employee, Gursimran Kaur, was found dead inside a walk-in oven at a store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, just weeks earlier. While the investigations into both deaths continue, they highlight the need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance in public spaces.
As the investigation into Derek Sink’s death continues, local authorities are working to determine the cause and ensure that necessary steps are taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.