UPDATE: In a gripping testimony on November 17, 2023, Carli Skaggs, widow of late pitcher Tyler Skaggs, emphatically denied knowledge of her husband’s drug use before his tragic death in a Texas hotel room in 2019. As the wrongful death trial against the Los Angeles Angels enters its sixth week, Carli described the ordeal as having “consumed my life.”
Carli, who was visibly emotional while recounting her relationship with Tyler, expressed her determination for the Angels to be “held accountable for their actions and inactions.” She stated, “I don’t want anyone to go through what I’m going through. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”
Eric Kay, a former communications staffer for the Angels, is currently serving prison time for providing Tyler with a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl, which contributed to his death. The jury must now determine if Angels officials were aware, or should have been aware, of Kay’s distribution of opioid pills to players.
During her testimony in a Santa Ana courtroom, Carli reflected on her and Tyler’s journey from childhood friends in Santa Monica to a loving couple navigating the pressures of professional baseball. She recounted the moment Tyler asked her to be his girlfriend and later proposed in a romantic setting during a trip to Bora Bora.
However, the shadows of addiction loomed over their relationship. Carli revealed that she only learned about Tyler’s struggles with opioids after his untimely death. “When you look back at your relationship, are you able to think of any occasion that makes sense now?” asked attorney Shawn Holley. “No,” Carli responded, adding that she had “racked my brain for something I could have missed.”
The court also heard about Tyler’s communications with teammates that hinted at drug use, including a text where he mentioned ingesting an Oxycodone pill. When asked if she would have tried to get Tyler help had she known, Carli responded, “Absolutely.”
In recounting the moment she was informed of Tyler’s death, Carli described it as a moment that shattered her world. “My life was never going to be the same,” she said, recalling the painful call she made to Tyler’s mother. The trial exposes the deep emotional scars left by the tragedy, as Carli revealed she has not been in a serious relationship since and fears the pain of losing another loved one.
As the trial continues, members of the Angels front office have denied knowledge of Kay’s addiction. However, testimonies from team staff and Kay’s ex-wife suggest that Kay’s drug issues were well-known within the organization. This ongoing litigation could have significant implications for both the Skaggs family and the Angels.
The courtroom drama is set to continue as the jury weighs the evidence. Carli Skaggs, now 38, has dedicated herself to volunteer work and has founded the Tyler Skaggs Foundation to support young athletes. Yet, she emphasized that the litigation against the Angels has overshadowed her life, stating, “I’m terrified to be deeply in love with someone, because I’m scared to lose them.”
As this trial unfolds, the stakes remain high for all parties involved, making it a case that resonates not only within the sports community but also among those affected by the opioid crisis. The next testimony is expected to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding Tyler Skaggs’ tragic death. Stay tuned for more updates as this case develops.
