Authorities in Indianapolis are investigating the death of a man who was found deceased in a tanning bed at a local Planet Fitness after his family reported him missing.
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Authorities identified the man as 39-year-old Derek Sink after the tragic discovery on Monday, November 11. According to PEOPLE, Sink entered the tanning bed on Friday, November 8, and his family filed a missing person’s report on Sunday, November 10, when he didn’t return home. After the Indianapolis Metro Police arrived at the Planet Fitness gym, they found Sink’s body in the tanning bed.
Family members mentioned that he had struggled with substance abuse issues. Authorities reported that a needle was found in the room where he was discovered, although the official cause of death has not yet been determined. Sink’s ankle monitor provided additional information about his movements, confirming that he did not leave the gym after entering the tanning area. In a statement, McCall Gosselin, Planet Fitness’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, expressed the company’s condolences.
“We were deeply saddened by the passing of one of our members, and the franchise owner is working with local authorities in their investigation.”
The statement continued to read, “We are working closely with our local franchisee to ensure they are upholding those brand protocols,”