Angels HR Official Texted ‘Tweaker Vibes’ About Eric Kay Amid Trial
URGENT UPDATE: A shocking revelation emerged in the ongoing wrongful death trial against the Los Angeles Angels, as HR director Mayra Castro testified that she texted a colleague about Eric Kay’s “tweaker vibes” just after learning he faced criminal charges linked to the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. This critical testimony, delivered on October 22, 2023, highlights potential knowledge within the organization regarding Kay’s troubling behavior prior to Skaggs’ tragic overdose.
During the trial in Orange County Superior Court, Castro admitted to initially deleting the text message, which described Kay’s unsettling demeanor. However, she quickly recognized the importance of the message and recovered it for the Skaggs family’s legal team. In the text exchange from August 2019, Castro stated, “Dude he gave me tweaker vibes,” to which her colleague responded, “Omfg, I always thought he definitely looked like a tweaker and sketch.”
Under intense questioning, Castro denied having prior knowledge of Kay’s drug issues before Skaggs’ death. When confronted by attorney Leah Graham, who asked if her deletion was to conceal potential evidence, Castro insisted, “I deleted it because I was afraid my bosses would see it and they would say ‘Mayra talks like this’ and they would question my professionalism.”
Castro further explained that her “tweaker” comment stemmed from a mix of recent developments and an odd energy she felt around Kay. Despite her suspicions, she claimed that none of her interactions with Kay raised alarms about drug use.
Kay is currently serving time in federal prison after being convicted for supplying Skaggs with a counterfeit pill that contained fentanyl, which, combined with oxycodone and alcohol, resulted in the pitcher’s death in a Texas hotel room on July 1, 2019. The ongoing civil trial will require jurors to determine whether the Angels had any awareness— or should have had awareness— that Kay was providing illicit drugs to players, including Skaggs.
While two of Kay’s former colleagues acknowledged that his behavior could be “abnormal,” they attributed it to mental health issues rather than drug use. However, allegations from the Skaggs family indicate that Kay’s wife suggested Angels officials were aware of Kay’s opioid addiction and his distribution of pills to players.
As the trial continues, the stakes remain high for the Angels organization and the legacy of Tyler Skaggs. Testimony is expected to proceed this Friday in Santa Ana, with the trial anticipated to last over a month. The outcome could have significant implications for player safety and team accountability in professional sports.
Stay tuned for the latest developments as this story unfolds.
