Ex-Wife Testifies on Drug Abuse in Angels’ Civil Suit

The wrongful death civil suit involving the Los Angeles Angels took a dramatic turn on Monday as Camela Kay, the ex-wife of former communications employee Eric Kay, testified about her husband’s drug abuse and the organization’s awareness of his actions leading up to the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs in 2019. Kay claimed that team employees were aware of Eric Kay’s drug use and even distributed non-prescription drugs to players, including during flights on the team’s airplane.

During her testimony, Camela Kay described witnessing opioid pills being passed around on a team plane. Her statements sharply contrasted with earlier testimonies from Tim Mead, former director of communications, and Tom Taylor, the Angels’ traveling secretary, who asserted they were unaware of any drug use by Eric Kay until after Skaggs’ tragic death in a Texas hotel room.

Eric Kay was convicted in 2022 for supplying a fentanyl-laced pill that led to Skaggs’ accidental overdose. He is currently serving a 22-year federal prison sentence. The Skaggs family is pursuing a claim for $118 million in damages, alleging that the Angels failed to intervene despite knowing about Eric Kay’s substance abuse, thus placing Skaggs in a vulnerable position.

Shawn Holley, attorney for the Skaggs family, argued in her opening statement that the Angels knowingly allowed Eric Kay to continue working with Skaggs, which contributed to the fatal situation. According to Camela Kay, an attempted intervention in October 2017 led to team officials visiting their home, where Mead reportedly found multiple baggies containing pills.

She recounted, “I was shocked,” when Mead allegedly indicated that Eric had directed him to the drugs. In a stark contrast, Mead later claimed he remembered little of that morning and denied ever locating drugs in the home.

Angels’ attorneys have maintained that the organization is not liable for Skaggs’ death, stating that he had a history of drug use prior to joining the team. The defense also emphasized that it was Skaggs who chose to take illicit substances on the night of his death.

In her testimony, Camela Kay expressed ongoing concerns about her ex-husband’s substance abuse, noting that she had communicated these worries to both Mead and Taylor. She highlighted her efforts to secure outpatient rehabilitation for Eric Kay in 2017, which included conversations with Angels’ benefits manager Cecilia Schneider.

Camela Kay also shared her experiences aboard the Angels’ plane, stating that she observed players and staff distributing pills and consuming alcohol excessively. When asked to elaborate, she specified that she saw what appeared to be Xanax and Percocet being handed out among players.

Her testimony continued to detail an incident in 2013 when both Mead and Taylor were present after Eric Kay experienced a panic attack at Yankee Stadium. During this encounter, Eric reportedly admitted to taking five Vicodin daily, which both officials allegedly overheard.

As the trial progresses, Camela Kay’s testimony is set to continue with further questioning from the plaintiff’s attorney, followed by cross-examination from the defense. The outcome of this case may have significant implications for the Angels organization, as it faces scrutiny over its handling of employee substance abuse and its potential responsibility in the tragic events surrounding Tyler Skaggs’ death.