Indianapolis, IN
Missing man found dead in tanning bed at Planet Fitness in Indianapolis, police say
INDIANAPOLIS — A 39-year-old Indiana man was found dead in a tanning bed at a planet fitness in south Indianapolis this week.
The man went to the gym on Friday, but he was found on Monday, according to police, WTHR reported.
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“Nobody ever thinks you are going to go to the gym Monday morning and potentially be in the same building as a dead body,” Planet Fitness member Elizabeth Len said.
Len said her Monday morning workout started like any other day until she noticed a foul smell.
“I was sniffing, trying not to look crazy, but something smells really awful here,” Len said.
The smell came from one of the tanning bed rooms, where 39-year-old Derek Sink was found dead.
“The first thing that kind of went off in my head was you know lack of attention from the staff members at Planet Fitness, which is pretty disappointing because maybe it could have been prevented,” Len said.
Sink’s family said he went into a tanning bed at the gym on Friday, but wasn’t found until Monday morning. They said he struggled with drugs, and a needle was found in the room with him.
His aunt said they reported him missing Friday, and he was wearing an ankle monitor, which helped police find him.
During the three days Sink was considered missing, the gym remained open.
“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.
The cause of sink’s death has not yet been determined.
In a statement on Tuesday, a Planet Fitness spokesperson said they’re working closely with the local franchise to ensure they’re upholding those brand protocols.
Indianapolis, IN
Silver Alert declared for 16-year-old boy missing from Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Robert Williams Jr., a 16-year-old Black male who is 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighs 185 pounds, has black hair with brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a gray coat, blue sweat pants, and black tennis shoes.
Williams Jr. is missing from Indianapolis, and was last seen on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.
Investigators ask that anyone with information on Williams Jr. contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department at 317-327-6541 or 911.
Indianapolis, IN
The City of Indianapolis’ “Indy Peace Fellowship” 2025 review
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indy Peace Fellowship is an initiative from the city, providing solutions to reduce gun violence in our city.
WRTV spoke with Dane Nutty, President & CEO of the Indy Public Safety Foundation, about its efforts in 2025 and continued targets ahead for 2026.
“A lot of times, you have an idea of what the community wants, you have an idea of what people need, and so, we certainly have a significant engagement with the community daily,” Nutty said.
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The City of Indianapolis’ “Indy Peace Fellowship” 2025 review
Finding solutions to gun violence has been one of the city’s biggest hurdles.
“This year that we’re looking at annual data, we’re over 20% reduction in criminal homicides and nearly 30% reduction in non-fatal shootings, but again, I think it’s a testament to the investments that have been made over the last three to five years and really lifting not only targeted intervention but also community voices in violence intervention,” Nutty said.
Nutty said that the relationships built with the community, IMPD and organizations throughout the years helped foster greater results in 2025.
“I think after the first couple of years, you know, when you launch a really huge new strategy, it takes a little time to kind of cement those partnerships and ensure that we’re being most effective and intentional with our work, and we’ve really seen that come into play this year,” Nutty said.
Looking ahead to 2026, Nutty said his team will continue to review data daily to help cultivate the best outcome.
“We might have an incident in the community that results in either the potential for retaliation or, you know, some additional trauma that that neighborhood or that community has incurred,” Nutty said.
OPHS
Every year, Indy Peace Fellowship’s goal is to reduce homicides by 10%.
“As of today, we’re down over 20% in criminal homicides year to date, so we’re certainly, again. We’re happy that we met that goal. That doesn’t mean that the work has completed, right? That we can just say, ‘Hey, we’ve done it all, we’ve fixed the problem.’ There’s a lot of work to move forward,” Nutty said.
Nutty added that they are seeing nearly a 30% reduction year-over-year in non-fatal shootings. Further proving that community outreach and targeted impact are working.
Indianapolis, IN
IMPD officer charged with operating vehicle while intoxicated after showing up to work smelling of alcohol
INDIANAPOLIS — An officer with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has been charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVWI).
According to a news release from IMPD, Bryan Gibson, an officer with the department, arrived at the department’s southeast district in his personal vehicle on the evening of Dec. 10 for a scheduled administrative duty shift.
When Gibson arrived, the department alleges that Gibson smelled like alcohol. After an investigation from the department’s OVWI unit, the special investigations unit and internal affairs, the release said that Gibson was determined to be under the influence of alcohol.
On Dec. 11, IMPD Chief Chris Bailey suspended Gibson without pay and recommended his termination to the department’s civilian police merit board.
The release said that at the time of the incident, Gibson was assigned to administrative duty. Officials said that Gibson did not have police powers while under administrative investigation for an unrelated personnel matter.
On Wednesday, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office officially filed charges against Gibson for:
- Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
- Operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher.
Gibson’s initial hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2026, the release said.
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