Ex-Wife Testifies on Drug Abuse at Angels’ Civil Suit Hearing

In a significant testimony during a civil trial, Camela Kay, the ex-wife of former Los Angeles Angels communications employee Eric Kay, asserted that the organization was aware of his drug abuse prior to his involvement in the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019. Camela Kay’s statements came on March 11, 2024, as part of a wrongful death lawsuit against the team, which seeks $118 million in damages.

Camela Kay recounted instances where team employees allegedly distributed non-prescription drugs to players, including an incident on a team plane where she claimed opioid pills were passed around. Her testimony sharply contrasted that of earlier witnesses, including Tim Mead, former director of communications for the Angels, and Tom Taylor, the team’s traveling secretary. Both had previously stated they were unaware of Eric Kay’s drug use until after Skaggs’ accidental overdose death in a Texas hotel room.

Eric Kay was convicted in 2022 for providing a fentanyl-laced pill to Skaggs, which contributed to his death. He is currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence. The Skaggs family argues that the Angels failed to enforce their own rules regarding employee drug abuse, which they claim contributed to the tragic events.

During her testimony, Camela Kay described a failed intervention on October 1, 2017, when Mead and Taylor visited their home. She recounted a moment when Mead allegedly emerged from her ex-husband’s bedroom holding “six or seven” small baggies containing pills. “I was shocked,” she said, recalling that Mead stated Eric directed him to the drugs, which were reportedly stored in shoeboxes. Mead, in earlier testimony, claimed to remember little of that morning and denied entering the bedroom or finding drugs there.

Angels attorneys have argued that the team bears no responsibility for Skaggs’ death and claimed they were unaware of either Skaggs’ substance abuse or Eric Kay’s provision of drugs to players. Defense attorney Todd Theodora emphasized that Skaggs was responsible for his own decisions regarding drug use and that he had a history of substance abuse prior to joining the Angels.

Camela Kay expressed ongoing concerns about her ex-husband’s drug problems, stating that she communicated these worries to both Mead and Taylor. She mentioned that after the 2017 intervention, Eric Kay was sent to outpatient therapy but showed no signs of improvement.

Her testimony included details about her previous experiences on the Angels’ plane, where she alleged she observed team members distributing pills and consuming alcohol excessively. When asked to clarify who was involved, she indicated that players and club staff were present during these activities.

Additionally, Camela Kay recalled an incident in 2013 when Eric Kay experienced a panic attack at a hotel after a game against the New York Yankees. During that episode, she said that both Mead and Taylor heard Eric Kay admit he was taking five Vicodin per day.

As the trial continues, Camela Kay’s testimony is expected to play a critical role in the ongoing proceedings, which have drawn significant attention to the culture surrounding drug use within professional sports organizations. The implications of this case could resonate far beyond the courtroom, potentially influencing how teams address substance abuse among their employees and players.