Toxicology report released by Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office
By Keldine Hull
Forensic toxicology results released today by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed that Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs had a combination of fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol in his system at the time of his death. According to the Los Angeles Times, Skaggs essentially choked on his vomit while under the influence. There were no signs of trauma and his death was ruled an accident.
The Southlake Police Department announced that Skaggs’ death is currently under investigation. No further information was released.
According to a statement from the Skaggs’ family, “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.”
The statement continued, “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 attorney Rusty Hardin to assist us.”
Skaggs graduated from Santa Monica High School in 2009 and was drafted to the Angles in the first round. On July 1, Skaggs was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Southlake ahead of a 3- game series against the Texas Rangers. He was 27. His death had a significant impact on the community as many mourned his passing.
