Tragic Final Hours of California Coffee Entrepreneurs Revealed in Coroner's Report
The disturbing final hours of prominent California coffee entrepreneurs John 'Jay' Ruskey, 53, and his wife Kristen Ruskey, 49, have been detailed in a newly released coroner's report. The couple, owners of Good Land Organics and Frinj Coffee, were found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning on February 8 at a Cambria residence, but new information reveals they had refused medical attention hours earlier when Jay experienced a severe reaction to psychedelic mushrooms.
The Fatal Night's Events
According to the report obtained by the Santa Barbara Independent, the Ruskeys had been attending a birthday party in Cambria on February 7 with more than 50 other guests. They retired to their room around 2:30 a.m. on February 8. Approximately two hours later, Kristen called 911, reporting she believed her husband was suffering from some kind of seizure.
When first responders arrived at the scene, Kristen explained that Jay was actually "having a bad trip" after consuming chocolate laced with psychedelic mushrooms. Party attendees reported hearing Jay vomiting and screaming during this episode. Despite the concerning symptoms, which included loss of muscle control and confusion consistent with both drug reaction and carbon monoxide poisoning, Jay refused to seek medical treatment when advised by emergency personnel to go to a hospital for "a higher level of care."
The Carbon Monoxide Discovery
Hours later, at 9:30 a.m., friends discovered Kristen unresponsive on the laundry room floor adjacent to their bedroom. They then found Jay in the bedroom, also "unresponsive, pulseless and not breathing." Friends performed CPR until emergency personnel arrived, but both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Days after the tragedy, the homeowner contacted police concerned about carbon monoxide levels in the property. Authorities discovered that both the carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm in the room where the couple stayed had been disconnected. A subsequent toxicology report confirmed dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in both victims' systems.
The coroner's report noted that carbon monoxide poisoning "can be especially dangerous for people who are asleep or have used illicit drugs, alcohol or medicines that make them very sleepy" and "can cause brain damage or death before anyone realizes there's a problem."
Business Legacy and Family Statement
John Ruskey, who often went by Jay, founded his exotic fruit company Good Land Organics in 1992. The business evolved to include Frinj Coffee in 2018, which became the first California coffee grower to compete in the prestigious Dubai Coffee Auction. Despite filing for bankruptcy in January 2024, the company had rebounded by 2026 with their washed Geisha coffee receiving international recognition.
In a statement following the release of the coroner's report, the family acknowledged the "somber clarity" it provided while choosing "to focus on the incredible light they brought to the world." They emphasized that "smoke and carbon monoxide detectors save lives" and urged others to install and regularly check such devices.
The Ruskeys were described as generous community members who supported schools, causes, and friends while being fiercely engaged parents to their three children: 19-year-old Kasurina and 16-year-old twins Sean and Aiden. A community fundraiser established to support the family had raised over $192,000 as of April 20.
Official Rulings and Investigation Details
Authorities found no drugs in the Ruskeys' room or vehicle, and no party attendees reported seeing Jay consume illicit substances. However, detectives discovered a gold piece of foil believed to have contained the mushroom-laced chocolate. Kristen's toxicology report showed a blood alcohol content of 0.04, with her death attributed to both carbon monoxide and ethanol.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office ruled the deaths accidental and opted not to investigate the source of the carbon monoxide leak. Spokesman Tony Cipolla stated, "We did not conduct an investigation into the carbon monoxide leak as there were no indications of foul play or anything criminal in nature," adding that alleged drug use did not contribute to their deaths.
The coroner's report provides a tragic narrative of how a combination of disconnected safety devices, carbon monoxide exposure, and refusal of medical intervention led to the untimely deaths of these innovative agricultural entrepreneurs.
