UPDATE: In a gripping court session on October 28, 2019, the ex-wife of former Angels staffer Eric Kay stood by her explosive claims of rampant drug use on team flights, as attorneys for the Angels pressed her during the ongoing wrongful death trial linked to pitcher Tyler Skaggs‘ tragic overdose.
Camela Kay testified that players were “passing out pills and drinking alcohol excessively” on team flights, igniting urgent discussions about the culture within the organization. Her statements brought to light troubling allegations regarding the behavior of Angels players and staff, raising questions about accountability in the wake of Skaggs’ death.
Under intense questioning from Angels attorney Todd Theodora, Camela Kay acknowledged that her testimony was based primarily on a single flight and information relayed by her ex-husband, who is currently serving a prison sentence for his role in Skaggs’ death. “Do you think that is scandalous for you to sit there in open court and testify to players passing around opioids and Xanax?” Theodora pressed. Camela firmly responded, “I’m telling you what happened on the plane.”
During her poignant testimony, she confirmed that players were allegedly sharing Xanax and Percocet while consuming alcohol. When pressed about the specifics, including the year and her seating position on that flight, Camela Kay admitted to uncertainty but reiterated her claims about the drug-related activities she observed.
“Is it your testimony that there is rampant drug use on Angels’ flights?” Theodora asked. “Yes,” Camela Kay replied.
In a notable contrast, star outfielder Mike Trout testified earlier in the trial that he was unaware of any illicit drug use among teammates. When asked about Trout’s credibility, Camela Kay hesitated, responding, “I don’t know.” This stark difference in testimonies highlights the conflicting narratives surrounding the Angels’ internal culture.
The stakes are high as jurors must determine whether the Angels organization was aware, or should have been aware, of Kay’s provision of drugs to players prior to Skaggs’ fatal overdose. Skaggs died in a Texas hotel room in July 2019 after consuming a counterfeit pill laced with fentanyl, alongside oxycodone and alcohol.
Camela’s accusations also included troubling claims that Angels employees were aware of Eric Kay’s drug issues long before Skaggs’ death. She revealed that pills were found in Kay’s bedroom in 2017 and conveyed that she informed an Angels employee about Kay’s admissions regarding drugs for Skaggs over two months before the tragedy.
“This should have never happened, the Angels failed Eric,” Camela Kay asserted, reflecting the deep emotional toll of the situation.
As the trial continues, the Angels maintain they had no knowledge of Kay’s illicit activities. They argue that Skaggs made the fatal decision to mix the drugs and alcohol that led to his death. Testimony is set to resume on Wednesday in a Santa Ana courtroom, where more revelations are expected.
This trial not only seeks justice for Tyler Skaggs but also poses critical questions about the responsibility of sports organizations in safeguarding their players’ health and well-being. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the culture of professional sports.
