Indianapolis police are investigating a tragic incident after the body of a man, identified as 39-year-old Derek Sink, was discovered in a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness gym on Monday morning. The unsettling discovery came days after Sink was reported missing by his family.
According to reports, Sink entered the tanning bed on Friday but never returned home. His family grew concerned and reported him missing, noting that he was wearing an ankle monitor.
Investigators used the monitor to track Sink to the Planet Fitness location on Hardegan Street, where he was ultimately found.
Relatives shared that Sink had a history of struggles with drug addiction, and police reportedly discovered a needle in the tanning room.
Public records reveal Sink was facing legal troubles, including charges for possession of narcotics and controlled substances last year. He had been sentenced to home detention in May as part of a plea agreement, which included regular drug testing.
Despite the ankle monitor’s data, it remains unclear why Sink’s presence at the gym went unnoticed for several days.
Elizabeth Len, a member of the Planet Fitness, described an unsettling odor near the tanning rooms before the body was found. Len questioned why no one raised concerns about the tanning bed remaining closed for three days, a troubling detail that highlights potential gaps in oversight at the gym.
In a statement, McCall Gosselin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Planet Fitness, expressed condolences and emphasized that the company has “robust operational protocols” to ensure member safety. Gosselin assured that the franchise owner is cooperating with local authorities in the investigation.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office has not yet determined the cause or manner of Sink’s death. Authorities continue to investigate, seeking to understand the circumstances that allowed this tragedy to go unnoticed for so long.
This incident underscores the importance of safety protocols and vigilance in shared public spaces, raising questions about how such a situation could occur without intervention.
