California Coffee Pioneers Die Unexpectedly, Leaving 3 Children

Authorities investigating sudden deaths of Jay and Kristen Ruskey, founders of Frinj Coffee

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Authorities are investigating the sudden deaths of Jay and Kristen Ruskey, a Central Coast couple who pioneered California's coffee-growing movement from their Santa Barbara County farm. The couple, owners of Good Land Organics and co-founders of Frinj Coffee, died on Sunday at a home in Cambria. Autopsies were performed, but the cause of death has not yet been determined. The couple leaves behind three children - Kasurina, 19, and twins Sean and Aiden, 16.

Why it matters

The Ruskeys were instrumental in developing California's coffee-growing industry, establishing more than 65 coffee farms across the state and introducing 14 coffee varieties. Their sudden passing leaves their family, business, and the broader coffee community in California in a state of shock and uncertainty.

The details

Jay Ruskey established Good Land Organics in the early 1990s, growing exotic fruit on a farm in Goleta. He and his wife Kristen launched their coffee brand, Frinj, in 2017 after Jay first tried planting coffee trees in 2002 with the goal of learning best practices for growing coffee in Southern California. Frinj Coffee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024 but regained its footing at the start of 2026, becoming the first California-based coffee grower to compete in the Dubai Coffee Auction.

  • Jay and Kristen Ruskey died on Sunday, February 13, 2026.
  • Autopsies were performed on Thursday, February 16, 2026.
  • Toxicology results are expected in a few weeks.

The players

Jay Ruskey

Co-founder of Frinj Coffee and owner of Good Land Organics, a farm in Goleta that grew exotic fruits.

Kristen Ruskey

Co-founder of Frinj Coffee and Jay Ruskey's wife.

Kasurina Ruskey

The 19-year-old daughter of Jay and Kristen Ruskey.

Sean Ruskey

One of the 16-year-old twin sons of Jay and Kristen Ruskey.

Aiden Ruskey

One of the 16-year-old twin sons of Jay and Kristen Ruskey.

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What they’re saying

“At this time, the deaths do not appear to be suspicious.”

— Tony Cipolla, Public information officer, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department (latimes.com)

“I have always been passionate about crop adaptation. I was working with the UC Cooperative Extension Service to plant lychee and longans when Dr. Mark Gaskell, a small berry crop expert, gave me 40 coffee plants and encouraged me to try planting them side by side with other plants.”

— Jay Ruskey (latimes.com)

What’s next

Authorities are awaiting toxicology results, which are expected in a few weeks, to determine the cause of Jay and Kristen Ruskey's deaths.

The takeaway

The sudden passing of Jay and Kristen Ruskey, pioneers of California's coffee-growing industry, has left their family, business, and the broader coffee community in the state in a state of shock. Their legacy, however, lives on through the more than 65 coffee farms they helped establish across California, introducing 14 coffee varieties to the region.