Ex-Wife Blasts Angels in Trial Over Skaggs’ Fatal Overdose

UPDATE: The ex-wife of a former Los Angeles Angels employee has delivered damning testimony in a civil trial surrounding the 2019 fatal overdose of star pitcher Tyler Skaggs, accusing the MLB team of failing her drug-addicted husband. Camela Kay took the stand on Tuesday in Santa Ana, California, revealing shocking details about the Angels’ culture and her husband’s actions leading up to Skaggs’ death.

Kay’s testimony is a crucial element in the wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Skaggs’ family, who are seeking $118 million in damages. They argue that the Angels enabled Eric Kay to continue working while battling addiction and allegedly supplying drugs, including pills intended for Skaggs. “The Angels failed Eric,” Kay said, emphasizing the tragic consequences of the team’s negligence.

Camela Kay recounted disturbing incidents from team flights, claiming she witnessed Angels players “partying, drinking, and passing around pills” while traveling with her then-husband, Eric Kay, the team’s communications director. Her revelations come just days after the lawsuit’s trial began, intensifying scrutiny on the Angels organization.

In a heart-wrenching moment, she described the aftermath of Skaggs’ death, saying, “I am sitting in a courtroom for two days in front of a mother who lost her son and a widow.” The emotional weight of her testimony is palpable as she reflects on the impact of addiction on her family and the tragic loss of Skaggs.

Authorities confirmed that in June 2019, shortly before Skaggs’ death, Eric Kay was hospitalized for an overdose. Kay testified that she had previously informed the Angels’ traveling secretary about pills intended for Skaggs, raising questions about the team’s knowledge of the situation. Just months later, Skaggs was found dead in a hotel room in Dallas, Texas, with a toxic mix of alcohol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system.

The Angels maintain that they were unaware of any drug use involving Skaggs and Eric Kay, asserting that any such activity occurred during personal time and not under the team’s supervision. This defense was challenged by Kay’s testimony, which underscored the serious allegations against the organization.

Following the tragic events, Major League Baseball implemented changes, including opioid testing and treatment referrals for players. However, the family’s lawsuit seeks to hold the Angels accountable for their role in the circumstances leading to Skaggs’ untimely death.

As the trial continues, attention remains focused on the implications of Kay’s testimony and the larger issue of addiction within professional sports. What happens next could determine the future of the Angels and their responsibility toward player welfare.

Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds, revealing the complexities of addiction and accountability in Major League Baseball.