Missing man found dead inside tanning bed after three days

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A missing man was found dead in a gym’s tanning bed three days after he was last seen entering the fitness park.

A staff member at Planet Fitness reported a foul smell after other members complained of a stench before starting their exercise session.

Derek Sink, 39, was found inside the tanning bed three days after he was last seen arriving at the gym in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 8.

His death is now being probed by local police, Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) confirmed.

Sink had visited the Planet Fitness on November 8 but his body wasn’t discovered until the morning of November 11, his family told local NBC affiliate WTHR.

His aunt also told the news station that, due to him wearing an ankle monitor, investigators determined Sink never left the gym after his arrival.

Two days after going to the gym, Sink was reported missing by his family, according to police records.

Elizabeth Len, a local woman who was visiting the Indianapolis Planet Fitness on the morning of Sink’s discovery, said she detected a bad smell after entering the building on November 11 before realising it was coming from the tanning beds.

"The tanning bed has a door, I believe,” she said. “But still, why are we not concerned that the tanning bed has been closed for three days, potentially?"

He was found around 9 a.m. about four hours after the fitness centre opened its doors for business.

Following Sink’s passing, Planet Fitness shared their condolences and emphasised its dedication to protecting its members.

“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. “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.”

No cause of death has been determined in the case.

“This remains an ongoing death investigation,” a MCCO spokesperson told People magazine. “The Marion County Coroner’s Office will determine the exact manner and cause of death.”

The discovery comes just weeks after Walmart worker Gursimran Kaur, 19, was found trapped in a walk-in oven at a store in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Kaur worked in the superstore with her mom, but the teen had not been seen on the floor for an hour.

Kaur’s mum tried to call her daughter but was unsuccessful.

A worker spotted a leakage from one of the ovens in the bakery department, prompting Kaur’s mom to open it.

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Kaur’s remains were found inside, but it remains unclear how she became trapped.

Tributes have been paid to Sink online.

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