Man missing for days found dead inside tanning bed at Planet Fitness, Indiana cops say

A missing Indiana man has been found dead inside of a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness in Indianapolis, police and news outlets report.

According to police, officers responded to a Planet Fitness gym on Indianapolis’ south side at about 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, after a man’s body was found, WXIN reported.

The man has been identified as 39-year-old Derek Sink, the Marion County Coroner’s Office told the outlet.

Sink had been missing for days. His family hadn’t seen him since Friday, Nov. 8 — three days before he was found dead — and reported him missing on Sunday, the Indianapolis Star reported.

Elizabeth Len, who was at the Planet Fitness before police arrived, told WTHR there was a powerful, foul odor throughout the gym, and was strongest near the tanning rooms.

Sink had issues with drugs and wore an ankle monitor, his family told the station, adding that his monitor’s activity shows he never left the gym after he entered Friday.

His cause of death is under investigation but officials say foul play is not suspected, WXIN reported.

Planet Fitness says it is aware of the incident and is in contact with the franchisee to make sure the gym chain’s rules and regulations are being followed.

“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, chief corporate affairs officer at Planet Fitness, said in an email. “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.”

This story was originally published November 12, 2024 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Man missing for days found dead inside tanning bed at Planet Fitness, Indiana cops say."