Tyler Skaggs' Homicide Investigation Targeting Suspect Connected To Angels Organization
The death of Tyler Skaggs was officially listed as accidental, but we're told the Southlake Police Department in Texas has assigned a homicide detective to investigate the case.
According to sources connected to the investigation, police have been honing in on a suspect who works for The Los Angeles Angels baseball organization. We are told the person is a "non-medical" member of the organization.
Our sources say, the illicit drugs found in his system upon his death were not prescribed to Skaggs and the belief is that they were "street drugs."
As we reported, Skaggs died with fentanyl in his bloodstream, along with oxycodone.
We're told the operating theory is that the suspect supplied Tyler with the medication when the team was in Texas for the game with the Rangers.
Skaggs had pitched in the previous games, before the trip to Texas, and was not expected to play.
We're told the suspect is believed to be someone who Tyler had a relationship with on the team, but was not a team doctor.
We reached out to the Angels who said, "Tyler was and always will be a beloved member of the Angels Family and we are deeply saddened to learn what caused this tragic death. Angels Baseball has provided our full cooperation and assistance to the Southlake Police as they conduct their investigation."
A source with direct knowledge tell us, they do not believe it was Skaggs intention to get high from the illegal drug.
We'r e told, "Tyler was in pain. He had pitched several days before, and he was looking for relief."
Skaggs also had elbow surgery in 2014, and the scares were noted in the star's autopsy report.
No arrests have been made yet, but the family has vowed to find the people or persons responsible for his death.
The family has hired powerhouse attorney Texas attorney, Rusty Hardin to assist in the process.
As we reported The Skaggs family said in a statement,
“We are heartbroken to learn that the passing of our beloved Tyler was the result of a combination of dangerous drugs and alcohol. That is completely out of character for someone who worked so hard to become a Major League baseball player and had a very promising future in the game he loved so much. We are grateful for the work of the detectives in the Southlake Police Department and their ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tyler’s death. We were shocked to learn that it 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. To that end, we have hired Texas attorney Rusty Hardin to assist us.”
The Blast broke the story, Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died from a deadly mix of drugs and alcohol in his system, the official cause of death was due to ethanol, fentanyl and oxycodone, intoxication with "terminal aspiration of gastric contents."
He was 27.
Although the Angels stadium is in Anaheim, the APD tell us they are not aware of any criminal activity that occurred in that city.
A spokesperson tell us, "We are saddened by the information released today in Texas regarding the cause and manner of death of Tyler Skaggs. While this in no way minimizes the tragic loss of such a vibrant and promising young life, it serves as an an indication of the pervasive nature of dangerous drugs in our society. The Anaheim Police Department has not been made aware of any allegations of criminal conduct in Anaheim and does not have an open investigation in this matter."
