The Tarrant County (Texas) medical examiner’s office has released a toxicology report regarding the untimely death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. As Maria Torres and Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times report, the 27-year-old was determined to have died after imbibing a toxic combination of opioids and alcohol.
Specifically, the report found that Skaggs had taken the painkillers fentanyl and oxycodone. Thereafter, he died accidentally of “aspiration of gastric contents.”
The Skaggs family has issued a statement on the matter, which remains under investigation by the local police department. Attorney Rusty Hardin has been retained to look into things from the family’s perspective.
In addition to expressing surprise at the manner of death, the family revealed a troubling allegation. The statement reads: “We were shocked to learn that [Skaggs’s death] may involve an employee of the Los Angeles Angels. We will not rest until we learn the truth about how Tyler came into possession of these narcotics, including who supplied them.”
It is clear that there will be further examination and investigation of the circumstances leading to Skaggs’s death. An MLB spokesperson tells Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times (Twitter link) that the league had not been aware of any allegation of team involvement but will now investigate the matter. Beyond that, speculation would be unwise. It’s a tragedy regardless — one of many linked in recent years to the opioid epidemic.
