Authorities in Indianapolis are looking into the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a man who was found deceased in a tanning bed at a local fitness center, following a report of his disappearance by family members.
On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Marion County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identity of the victim as Derek Sink, 39, in an email to PEOPLE.
According to the Indianapolis Star, authorities were alerted to the discovery of a body located in a tanning bed at a Planet Fitness on Hardegan Street in Indianapolis on the morning of Monday, Nov. 11.
Family members reported that Sink entered the tanning bed on Friday, Nov. 8 at the Planet Fitness on Hardegan Street, as stated by NBC affiliate WTHR.
On Sunday, Nov. 10, his family notified authorities about his disappearance, according to the Indianapolis Star.
The family of Sink informed WTHR that he struggled with substance abuse, and a needle was found in the room with him.
Upon reaching out to PEOPLE on November 12 regarding Sink’s passing, a spokesperson for the Indianapolis Metro Police Department stated: “This remains an ongoing death investigation.” The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) is set to establish the precise manner and cause of death.
A report from a local affiliate indicated that Sink was wearing an ankle monitor, as stated by his family, which helped authorities confirm that he remained at the Planet Fitness location.
“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’s chief corporate affairs officer, said in a statement with PEOPLE on Nov. 12.
“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 statement concluded.
A notice displayed on November 11 at the Indianapolis Planet Fitness indicated that tanning services were not available at this time, according to WPTA.
