Frinj Coffee Founders Died from Carbon Monoxide, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department Confirms
March 15 - 2026
Coffee Geography Magazine
It was a mystery that hung over the serene Central Coast for more than a month. How did Jay and Kristen Ruskey, the dynamic duo behind California's first specialty coffee boom, die peacefully in their sleep at a friend's home in Cambria?
This week, the answer delivered a devastating and clarifying blow to their family, friends, and the agricultural community they helped build: carbon monoxide poisoning.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department confirmed the cause of death a month later, putting an end to weeks of rampant speculation. The toxicology report revealed that the founders of Frinj Coffee, who were found on the morning of Sunday, February 8, succumbed to the odorless, colorless gas. Jay was 53, Kristen was 49.
Jay and Kristen Ruskey
The revelation paints a harrowing picture of what was supposed to be a peaceful night's rest. A subsequent press release from the Sheriff's Department added a chilling detail: "A combination carbon monoxide/smoke detector was found in their room, but it was found to be disconnected."
For their three teenage children—two still in high school and one in college—the loss is immeasurable. The family released a statement expressing their "profound and shattered hearts," describing Jay and Kristen as the "pillars of our family."
"They were the first to offer a helping hand to others," the statement read. "Their loss leaves a void that can never be filled, but their legacy lives on through their children, who were their greatest pride and joy."
That legacy extends far beyond their immediate family. The Ruskeys were icons in the farming and culinary worlds, having pioneered the cultivation of coffee trees in California. Under their leadership, Frinj Coffee was riding a wave of momentum in 2025. They had just completed their best harvest ever, picking 65,000 pounds of coffee, and had won special acclaim at an international auction.
"It was quite a gut punch to all of us," said Andy Mullins, a co-founder who has stepped into the role of CEO. "Losing your founder, especially someone like Jay, creates shockwaves not only inside the company but in the market in general."
Despite the tragedy, the company is moving forward. Mullins and his team have spent the last three weeks focused on stabilizing the business and communicating with their vast network of supporters.
"Everything was going very well," Mullins noted, adding that the company is currently processing the results of their record-breaking harvest.
As the community reels from the confirmation of how two of its brightest lights were extinguished, the family finds solace in the support they have received. Their statement concluded with a message of gratitude for the "outpouring of love, prayers, and support," noting that the kindness provides "a small measure of comfort as we navigate this dark chapter." A more detailed report from the coroner is expected in the coming week.