Ex-Wife Testifies Angels Knew of Kay’s Drug Abuse Before Skaggs’ Death

UPDATE: In a shocking testimony, the ex-wife of former Los Angeles Angels communications employee Eric Kay revealed that the team was aware of his drug abuse before he provided the fatal drugs that killed pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019. Camela Kay testified Monday in a wrongful death civil suit, claiming she witnessed team employees distributing non-prescription drugs to players, including opioids, on a team plane.

Her testimony raises urgent questions about the Angels’ responsibility regarding substance abuse within the organization. Camela Kay described a troubling incident where she saw pills being passed around on the plane. “I had seen them passing out pills and drinking alcohol excessively,” she stated, indicating that both players and staff were involved.

This explosive revelation contradicts earlier testimonies from team officials Tim Mead and Tom Taylor, who asserted they were unaware of Kay’s drug use until after Skaggs’ tragic overdose in a Texas hotel room. The Angels are facing a $118 million lawsuit from the Skaggs family, which claims the organization violated its own rules by failing to intervene in Kay’s known substance abuse.

During her testimony, Camela Kay recounted a critical moment on October 1, 2017, when Mead and Taylor visited their home after a failed intervention attempt. She described how Mead emerged from Kay’s bedroom holding “six or seven” baggies of pills, which he claimed were directed to him by Eric Kay. “I was shocked,” she recalled, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

Kay, who was convicted in 2022 of providing a fentanyl-laced pill to Skaggs, is currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence. The Skaggs family argues that allowing Kay to interact with players, both of whom struggled with addiction, created a dangerous environment. Plaintiff’s attorney Shawn Holley stated that the Angels put Skaggs “directly in harm’s way” by keeping Kay employed.

As the trial continues, the implications of Camela Kay’s testimony could significantly impact the ongoing case. The Angels’ defense maintains that the team was not responsible for Skaggs’ death, asserting that he had a history of drug use prior to joining the organization.

Camela Kay’s testimony, supported by text messages, indicates persistent concerns about Eric Kay’s substance abuse, which she communicated to team officials. She described her efforts to enroll him in an outpatient rehabilitation program, highlighting the alarming conduct she witnessed during her time on the Angels’ plane.

The trial is set to continue Monday afternoon, with further direct examination from plaintiff’s attorney Leah Graham followed by cross-examination from the defense. As the case unfolds, the focus remains on the Angels’ accountability and the tragic consequences of unchecked substance abuse within their ranks.

Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story progresses.