The family of Tyler Skaggs has hired attorney Rusty Hardin to investigate the alleged involvement of a Los Angeles Angels employee in the death of the pitcher.
The toxicology report regarding Skaggs’ July 1 death was released on Friday. It showed the former Angels pitcher died choking on his vomit while under the influence of fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol.
A statement from Skaggs’ family says they believe an Angels employee was involved
“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 attorney Rusty Hardin to assist us.”
The family’s statement seems to imply a belief that an Angels employee may have been involved in supplying the drugs to Skaggs.
Hardin is well known in sports circles. He represented Roger Clemens during the Mitchell investigation. He also represented Adrian Peterson during a child abuse case.
Skaggs died on July 1 at the age of 27. The promising southpaw was originally drafted by the team in 2009 and was 7-7 with a 4.29 ERA this season, his fifth with the club.
