Missing man found dead in tanning bed three days after arriving at gym
Vinay Sharma
Featured Image Credit: Kimberly Smith via WTHR / Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
A man who had been missing for three days was tragically found dead in a Planet Fitness tanning bed in Indianapolis.
The Marion County Coroner's Office identified the man as 39-year-old Derek Sink after his body was found around 8.26am on November 11, a few hours after the gym had opened that morning.
According to WTHR, a woman who visited the gym on Monday revealed that she and other members had noticed a strong, unpleasant smell inside the building, especially near the tanning rooms.
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"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?" visitor Elizabeth Len said.
Sink’s family had reported him missing on Sunday after not hearing from him since Friday.
According to Planet Fitness's website, the gym closes at 9.00pm on Fridays and is open from 7.00am to 7.00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. This means the tanning room stayed untouched for quite a while, covering the time the gym was closed and reopened over the weekend.
Upon investigation, it was determined that Sink had entered the Planet Fitness on Hardegan Street on November 8 and did not exit the premises. The coroner's office investigating the case has not yet declared a cause or manner of death for Sink.
After learning of their family member's death, Sink's loved ones expressed belief there should be better policies when it comes to cleaning the gym, including an end-of-the-day checklist that would help ensure nothing is out of place at the facility.
In response to the incident, Planet Fitness issued a statement to express its condolences.
“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.” a Planet Fitness spokesperson told WTHR.
The statement adds: "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.”
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is treating the case as a death investigation and has not indicated any suspicion of foul play at this time.
UNILAD has contacted Planet Fitness for comment.