Current:Home > NewsMother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments -Excel Money Vision
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
View
Date:2025-04-18 07:46:22
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! (4)
Related
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- SNL Introduces Its 2024 Presidential Election Cast Playing Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and More
- Alabama football's freshman receiver Ryan Williams is only 17, but was old enough to take down Georgia
- Lauren Conrad Shares Rare Update on Husband William Tell and Their 2 Sons
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Ciara Reveals How Her Kids Have Stepped Up With Her and Russell Wilson's Daughter Amora
- Jordan Love injury update: Packers will start veteran quarterback in Week 4 vs. Vikings
- Cities are using sheep to graze in urban landscapes and people love it
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Red Sox honor radio voice Joe Castiglione who is retiring after 42 years
Ranking
- Toyota to invest $922 million to build a new paint facility at its Kentucky complex
- Minnesota football's Daniel Jackson makes 'Catch of the Year' for touchdown vs Michigan late
- Oasis adds US, Canada and Mexico stops to 2025 tour
- Heisman watch: Who are the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy after Week 5?
- Trump's 'stop
- Presidents Cup 2024: Results, highlights from U.S.'s 10th-straight Presidents Cup win
- 'SNL' returns with Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz, Dana Carvey as President Biden
- Texas edges Alabama as new No. 1 in US LBM Coaches Poll after Crimson Tide's defeat of Georgia
Recommendation
The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
6 Things Kathryn Hahn Can't Live Without
Knicks trade for Karl-Anthony Towns in blockbuster deal
Red Sox honor radio voice Joe Castiglione who is retiring after 42 years
Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
Jussie Smollett says he has 'to move forward' after alleged hate crime hoax
Presidents Cup 2024: Results, highlights from U.S.'s 10th-straight Presidents Cup win
Helene flooding is 'catastrophic natural disaster' in Western NC