UPDATE: In a shocking testimony, Camela Kay, the ex-wife of former Los Angeles Angels communications employee Eric Kay, revealed that the team was aware of his drug abuse prior to the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. During a civil suit in Santa Ana, California, she stated that she witnessed non-prescription drugs being distributed on the team plane, including opioid pills.
Kay’s testimony, presented on Monday, October 30, 2023, is critical as the family of Tyler Skaggs seeks $118 million in damages, claiming the Angels violated their own intervention policies. This revelation comes after Eric Kay was convicted in 2022 for providing a fentanyl-laced pill that led to Skaggs’ tragic overdose in a Texas hotel room in 2019.
The emotional weight of Camela Kay’s testimony was palpable, particularly as she described an incident where team employees handed out pills on a flight. She testified, “I had seen them passing out pills and drinking alcohol excessively.” This alarming admission directly contradicts earlier statements from team officials, including Tim Mead, the former director of communications, and traveling secretary Tom Taylor, who claimed they were unaware of Kay’s drug use until after Skaggs’ death.
In a dramatic recounting, Camela Kay revealed that after a failed intervention attempt on October 1, 2017, Mead visited their home and allegedly retrieved multiple baggies filled with pills. “I was shocked,” she stated, highlighting the severity of the situation and the team’s apparent negligence.
As the trial unfolds, the Skaggs family maintains that the Angels put their son “directly in harm’s way” by allowing Eric Kay, who had known drug issues, to interact with Skaggs. Their attorney, Shawn Holley, emphasized the team’s responsibility, arguing that they had a duty to intervene.
The defense, however, contends that Skaggs had a history of drug use prior to joining the Angels, with attorney Todd Theodora asserting that it was Skaggs who “decided to obtain the illicit pills.” The trial’s tension escalates as conflicting testimonies set the stage for a gripping legal battle.
Camela Kay continues to express deep concerns about her ex-husband’s substance abuse, revealing that she sought help from Angels benefits manager Cecilia Schneider for outpatient rehabilitation in 2017. Despite these efforts, she noted that no significant improvement occurred.
The courtroom drama is far from over, as Camela Kay’s testimony resumes this afternoon, leaving many to wonder how this developing narrative will affect the ongoing case. The implications of this trial extend beyond the courtroom, raising critical questions about the responsibilities of professional sports organizations in safeguarding their players’ health.
Stay tuned as this story develops, with further updates expected shortly. The stakes are high, and the impact of this case resonates deeply within the world of sports and beyond.