Current:Home > MyMother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments -ChatGPT
Mother of Man Found Dead in Tanning Bed at Planet Fitness Gym Details His Final Moments
View
Date:2025-04-18 02:37:37
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! (579)
Related
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Elmo takes a turn as a therapist after asking 'How is everybody doing?'
- Demi Moore shares update on Bruce Willis amid actor's dementia battle
- Hurricane hunters chase powerful atmospheric rivers as dangerous systems slam West Coast
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Do you know these famous Pisces? 30 celebs with birthdays under the 'intuitive' sign.
- Tennessee attorney general sues NCAA over ‘NIL-recruiting ban’ as UT fights back
- Takeaways from the AP’s look at the role of conspiracy theories in American politics and society
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- 'Swift Alert' app helps Taylor Swift fans keep up with Eras Tour livestreams
Ranking
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Miracle cures: Online conspiracy theories are creating a new age of unproven medical treatments
- Broadway Star Hinton Battle Dead at 67
- Hacked-up bodies found inside coolers aboard trucks — along with warning message from Mexican cartel
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Cher Denied Conservatorship of Son Elijah Blue Allman
- Tennessee's fight with NCAA illustrates chaos in college athletics. Everyone is to blame
- The mystery of Amelia Earhart has tantalized for 86 years: Why it's taken so long to solve
Recommendation
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
After Another Year of Record-Breaking Heat, a Heightened Focus on Public Health
Launching today: Reporter Kristen Dahlgren's Pink Eraser Project seeks to end breast cancer as we know it
Eminem retracts threat of diss track directed toward Lions OC Ben Johnson
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Aly Michalka of pop duo Aly & AJ is pregnant with first child
'Argylle' review: A great spy comedy premise is buried by secret-agent chaos
From marching bands to megastars: How the Super Bowl halftime show became a global spectacle