In Santa Ana, California, Tyler Skaggs’s family is in court, seeking justice after his tragic death in July 2019. His wife, Carli, and mother, Debbie, took the stand to share their heartbreak in a civil suit against the Los Angeles Angels. They claim the team knew about Eric Kay, a former communications director, supplying drugs to Tyler.
Kay is currently serving a 22-year sentence for providing fentanyl-laced pills that led to Tyler’s untimely passing. Carli opened up about her deep pain, saying, “I don’t want anyone going through what I’m going through.” She expressed anger, not only towards the Angels but also towards Tyler for being unable to speak about his struggles.
Their relationship spanned six years, filled with cherished moments—including their wedding and dreams of having children. Carli described feeling blindsided by Tyler’s drug use. Although they occasionally smoked marijuana together, she had no idea he struggled with prescription pills. She mentioned a troubling incident during their honeymoon when he acted strangely after taking an MDMA pill from a new acquaintance.
On the morning of his death, Tyler stopped answering Carli’s texts. Panicked, she reached out to his teammates and the hotel staff, only to receive the devastating call from the team’s general manager. “Don’t tell me. Don’t say it,” is what she remembers saying.
Carli now rents out the house they bought together to maintain financial stability. She actively supports community causes, including working with the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office and running the Tyler Skaggs Foundation, which promotes youth sports. Despite being surrounded by friends who have started families, Carli admits to feeling lonely. “It’s been a lonely six years,” she said.
Debbie Hetman, Tyler’s mother, testified next, reflecting on his childhood and their family’s journey through addiction. After Tyler’s earlier struggles with pills, they sought professional help, sharing his history with doctors involved in his care. She recalled the gut-wrenching moment she learned of her son’s death. It was on the news when she received a call from Carli. The heartbreak was overwhelming, “It literally was the worst day of my life,” she said.
This case brings to light the ongoing issue of addiction in sports and the responsibility organizations have to ensure the well-being of their athletes. Research shows that about 30% of athletes struggle with substance misuse, highlighting the need for better support systems within sports organizations.
As the trial continues, the Skaggs family hopes their story will lead to accountability and change. The emotional testimonies underline the human cost of addiction and raise questions about how teams can better protect their players.
Source link
Los Angeles Angels, MLB
