The body of an Indiana man was found inside a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness in Southside Indianapolis on Monday — three days after he’s believed to have checked into the gym, authorities said.
The victim, identified as 39-year-old Derek Sink, was reported missing on Sunday, The Indianapolis Star reported, citing police records.
Sink was on house arrest for a drug-related offense and didn’t come home Friday night, his grandmother and brother, who didn’t want to be identified, told local television station WISH.
According to his family, Sink struggled with drug addiction and a needle was found in the tanning booth next to him, WTHR reported.
His aunt said that he was wearing an ankle monitor, which helped investigators determine he had never left the gym after checking in on Friday.
Sink’s body was found after members of the gym noticed a foul smell in the building early on Monday.
Police were called to the gym, located at Hardegen St. near U.S. 31 and County Line Rd. around 8:30 a.m., where they located the victim.
Sink’s cause or manner of death has yet to be determined by the Marion County Coroner’s Office.
“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 statement shared with the press on Tuesday.
The company, one of the world’s largest franchisors and operators of fitness centers by number of members and locations, has “robust operational brand protocols in place,” Gosselin said, adding the “safety and well-being of our members is our top priority.”
The company is working with the Indianapolis franchisee to ensure the gym is “upholding those brand protocols.”
