Missing Indiana man found dead in tanning bed at Planet Fitness gym

A man who was reported missing by his family has been found dead in a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness gym in the US.

Derek Sink, 39, went into the tanning bed at the Indianapolis gym on Friday, his family told NBC, and reported him missing when he failed to return home.

His aunt said he was wearing an ankle monitor, which led investigators to determine he never left the gym. He was ultimately located in the tanning bed at the gym on Monday morning.

Marion Superior Court records show Sink had been charged with possession of a narcotic drug and possession of a controlled substance last year. In a plea agreement to the first charge, he was sentenced to one year of home detention including drug testing, which started in May.

It’s not clear how Sink went unnoticed for so long.

The coroner’s office had not yet determined a cause or manner of death as of Wednesday morning, and Indianapolis Metro Police says the investigation into Sink’s death is ongoing.

Gym-goer Elizabeth Len was at the Planet Fitness franchise on Monday morning before police discovered Sink.

She said that she and other members noticed a bad smell in the building near the tanning rooms.

“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 said to WTHR.

Planet Fitness’ Chief Corporate Affairs Officer McCall Gosselin said in a statement: “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 wellbeing of our members is our top priority. We are working closely with our local franchisee to ensure they are upholding those brand protocols.”