Derek Sink

Authorities in Indianapolis made a grim discovery at a Planet Fitness gym earlier this week when the body of a man, later identified as Derek Sink, 39, was found inside a tanning bed. The discovery came three days after Sink had last been in contact with his family.

Foul smell led to the discovery

Gym-goer Elizabeth Len reported noticing a “foul smell” upon arriving at Planet Fitness on Hardegan Street on Monday morning. “The tanning bed has a door, I believe, but still, why are we not concerned that the tanning bed has been closed for three days, potentially?” Len told WTHR.

Shortly after the gym opened for the day, officers were called to the scene where Sink’s body was discovered.

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Substance abuse concerns

The Marion County Coroner’s Office confirmed Sink’s identity, but his cause of death remains under investigation. Sink had a history of substance abuse, and drug paraphernalia was reportedly found in the tanning room, according to his family.

Court records indicate that Sink was wearing a GPS ankle monitor at the time of his death. He had been charged with possession of narcotics and a controlled substance in 2023, pleading guilty to the narcotics charge and serving one year of home detention with mandatory drug testing.

Family calls for stricter protocols

Sink’s family is urging Planet Fitness to adopt stricter cleaning and safety policies to prevent similar incidents in the future. They have suggested implementing an end-of-day checklist for staff to ensure all facilities, including tanning beds, are properly inspected.

Planet Fitness responds

Planet Fitness has expressed its condolences and emphasized its commitment to safety. McCall Gosselin, the company’s chief corporate affairs officer, told People:

“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. 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 franchise to ensure they are upholding those brand protocols.”

Investigation ongoing

Authorities and the Marion County Coroner’s Office are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sink’s death. Meanwhile, members and staff of the gym have been left shaken by the tragic discovery.