Revelations in Tyler Skaggs Civil Case: Wade Miley Linked as Possible Early Drug Source

New court documents have shed light on the tragic case of Tyler Skaggs, an Angels pitcher who passed away from an overdose in 2019, and his former team’s communications director, Eric Kay, who is now serving 22 years in prison for his involvement in Skaggs’ death. The Skaggs family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Angels, seeking $210 million in damages.

Recently, the Angels requested to have the Skaggs family’s claims dismissed. Their motion included a testimony from Skaggs’ previous agent, Ryan Hamill, who indicated that Skaggs had confided in him about using prescription drugs. Hamill testified that Skaggs mentioned getting pills from his former teammate, Wade Miley, who currently plays for the Cincinnati Reds.

In a twist, Miley’s name also surfaced during Kay’s trial. In a recorded prison conversation, Kay implied that Miley had supplied drugs to Skaggs. However, Miley hasn’t faced any criminal charges and declined to comment through his agent.

The case has seen a flurry of activity, including hundreds of pages of testimony that were mistakenly released by the court. These documents revealed that several Angels employees were allegedly aware of Kay’s drug issues and had reason to suspect he was providing pills to Skaggs. After raising concerns about the released documents, the court removed them from public view.

Court filings reveal that Skaggs struggled with addiction for nearly a decade. The Angels argue that he knowingly sought out drugs from various sources, making him partly accountable for his death. They presented evidence, including text messages in which Skaggs solicited pills from teammates just days before his death.

Skaggs’ mother has testified that he had been using drugs since at least 2013, with medical records showing a prescription for Suboxone to combat opioid addiction. One notable exchange occurred in 2015 where Skaggs jokingly referred to himself as a “drug addict” in a text to his then-girlfriend.

On the other hand, Eric Kay’s ex-wife, Camela Kay, provided impactful testimony. She recounted discussions about her husband’s drug use, indicating that multiple Angels executives were aware of it. She described an intervention gone poorly in 2017 and noted that she had concerns about her husband supplying drugs to players.

Testimony from various individuals indicates that Kay’s struggles were known within the Angels organization. This raises questions about the team’s awareness of the situation and their responsibility to address it.

This case touches on broader social issues concerning addiction and accountability in professional sports. Studies show that substance abuse among athletes is often obscured, leading to tragic outcomes. Recent data shows an alarming rise in opioid overdoses in the U.S., offering a grim reminder of the dangers facing those with substance use disorders.

As the Skaggs family’s legal battle continues, the case exposes not just individual struggles but systemic issues within sports organizations regarding addiction and mental health.

For more insights on this topic, you can visit the CDC’s overview on drug overdose trends.

The outcome of this lawsuit could reshape how sports organizations manage issues of addiction and mental health, underscoring the need for transparency and support systems for athletes.

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Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels, MLB