Ex-Angels Employee Faces 20 Years in Prison For Death of Tyler Skaggs

A former Los Angeles Angels employee has been found guilty of distributing the drugs that led to the tragic 2019 death of Angels' pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

BREAKING: Jury finds Eric Kay GUILTY for distributing fentanyl and causing the death of Tyler Skaggs.

— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) February 17, 2022

Eric Kay, who was the team's communications director, now faces 20 years in prison after being convicted of the charges. USA Today reports that a jury of 10 women and 2 men deliberated for less than 3 hours in coming up with their verdict. Kay was found guilty of the charges that he "possessed and distributed a controlled substance, and another accusing him of “knowingly and intentionally” giving fentanyl to Skaggs on a road trip to Arlington, Texas, where Skaggs died on July 1, 2019."

Five former teammates of Skaggs testified at the trial, each of them said they received oxycodone pills from Kay at various times from 2017-19. 

Skaggs was just 27 when he was found after having choked on his own vomit. The 6'4" left-handed pitcher was in his 7th major league season, his 5th with the Angels. 

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports