Tyler Skagg’s Death: Eric Kay Sentenced to 22 Years in Federal Prison for Los Angeles Angels Pitcher Opioid Death

FORT WORTH, Texas– A former Los Angeles Angels employee was sentenced Tuesday to 22 years in prison for providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs with the drugs that led to his death from an overdose in Texas.

Eric Kay, dressed in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs and leg shackles, did not respond as US District Judge Terry R. Means read his verdict. Kay faced a minimum of 20 years in prison on one of the two counts.

There was no reaction from Skagg’s widow and mother or members of Kay’s family, including one of his sons, who testified on his behalf before sentencing.

Prosecutors presented evidence of Kay, 48, making disparaging comments about Skaggs, his family, prosecutors and the jury in phone calls and emails after his conviction in February.

In federal court in Fort Worth, about 15 miles from where the Angels played a four-game series against the Texas Rangers on July 1, 2019, the day Skaggs was found dead in a Dallas suburb should open, there were emotional statements from both sides of the hotel room.

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Kay was convicted once each of drug distribution leading to death and drug conspiracy.

A coroner’s report said 27-year-old Skaggs choked on his vomit and had a toxic mix of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone in his system.

The trial included testimony from five major league players who said they received oxycodone pills from Kay at various times from 2017 to 2019, the years Kay was accused of receiving pills and admitting them to players at Angel Stadium to have. According to witness statements and court documents, Kay has also used drugs himself.