Angels Failed Tyler Skaggs, Ex-Wife Testifies in Dramatic Trial

UPDATE: In a gripping courtroom testimony, Camela Kay, the ex-wife of former Los Angeles Angels communications director Eric Kay, revealed that the MLB team failed her drug-addicted husband and contributed to the tragic overdose death of star pitcher Tyler Skaggs. The trial, taking place in Santa Ana, California, has shed light on substance abuse within the team, as Kay described shocking incidents of drug use among players during flights.

Kay’s testimony on October 24, 2023, struck a nerve as she recounted witnessing Angels players partying and using pills on team flights, a revelation that raises serious concerns about the organization’s culture. “I am sitting in a courtroom for two days in front of a mother who lost her son and a widow,” she said, emphasizing the devastating impact of Skaggs’ death on all involved.

In 2019, after Eric Kay was hospitalized for a drug overdose, Camela learned he possessed pills meant for Skaggs and alerted the Angels’ traveling secretary. Just months later, on July 1, 2019, Skaggs was found dead in a hotel room in Texas, having choked on his vomit after consuming a lethal mix of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone. Eric Kay was later sentenced to 22 years in prison for supplying the drugs that led to Skaggs’ fatal overdose.

The ongoing civil trial is centered around a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Skaggs’ family, demanding $118 million in damages from the Angels for allegedly enabling Eric Kay’s drug use and failing to take action. The Angels maintain that they were unaware of Skaggs’ drug use, arguing that any substance abuse occurred during personal time, away from the team.

Camela Kay’s testimony has emerged as a pivotal point in the lawsuit, as both the family and Angels’ attorneys acknowledge its significance. More than six years after Skaggs’ death, the emotional toll of the tragedy continues to reverberate within the baseball community.

During the trial, it was revealed that five MLB players had testified against Eric Kay, confirming that they received opioids from him between 2017 and 2019. These shocking revelations highlight the pervasive issue of drug use within the league during that period.

In a heart-wrenching moment, Camela Kay spoke about her husband’s struggles, stating that their family intervened in 2017, but the situation worsened. She recounted how Angels officials visited their home after Eric was found acting erratically, further heightening her fears about his drug dealings. Notably, she recalled discovering blue pills among his belongings and hearing about messages from Skaggs inquiring about “candy,” a term Eric used to describe drugs.

As the trial unfolds, all eyes are on the jury’s decision, which could set a precedent for how professional sports teams handle substance abuse among their employees. The outcome could also impact the MLB’s ongoing commitment to addressing addiction, which has grown increasingly urgent in light of recent revelations.

With the stakes high and emotions running deep, this trial not only seeks justice for Tyler Skaggs’ family but also aims to shine a light on a troubling culture that has persisted within the sport. As the proceedings continue, many are left wondering how this case will reshape the conversation about athlete welfare and responsibility in professional sports.

Stay tuned for further updates as this critical trial develops, with implications that extend far beyond the courtroom.