Current:Home > FinanceMother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments -WealthX
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
View
Date:2025-04-13 14:32:04
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! (57)
Related
- Small twin
- Anna Nicole Smith's 17-Year-Old Daughter Dannielynn Looks All Grown Up at the Kentucky Derby
- It’s Cinco de Mayo time, and festivities are planned across the US. But in Mexico, not so much
- Morgan Wallen's next court appearance date set in Nashville rooftop chair throwing case
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Let's Roll!
- Lance Bass, Robin Thicke, more went to this massive billionaire wedding. The internet was enraged.
- You'll Love These 25 Secrets About The Mummy Even if You Hate Mummies
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Dodo
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Academics and Lawmakers Slam an Industry-Funded Report by a Former Energy Secretary Promoting Natural Gas and LNG
- Jury foreperson in New Hampshire youth center abuse trial ‘devastated’ that award could be slashed
- Drake, Kendrick Lamar diss tracks escalate with 'Meet the Grahams' and 'Family Matters'
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Reese Witherspoon's Daughter Ava Phillippe Slams Toxic Body Shaming Comments
- Former Lakers Player Darius Morris Dead at 33
- Complaints, objections swept aside as 15-year-old girl claims record for 101-pound catfish
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Pro-Palestinian protests stretch on after arrests, police crackdowns: Latest updates
Former government employee charged with falsely accusing coworkers of participating in Jan. 6 Capitol attack
All of These Stylish Finds From Madewell's Sale Section Are Under $30, Save Up to 77%
Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
Shooting suspect dies following police standoff that closed I-80 in Bay Area Friday
Mega Millions winning numbers for May 3 drawing: Jackpot rises to $284 million
Israel orders Al Jazeera to close its local operation and seizes some of its equipment