Wife Called 911, Then Said Husband Was Having a ‘Bad Trip.’ They Refused Medical Attention and Were Both Found Dead Hours Later
Wife Called 911, Then Said Husband Was Having a ‘Bad Trip.’ They Refused Medical Attention and Were Both Found Dead Hours Later
David ChiuMon, April 20, 2026 at 5:24 PM UTC
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Jay and Kristen RuskeyCredit: GoFundMe -
A coroner's report sheds new light on the deaths of John "Jay" Ruskey and his wife Kristen, pioneering farmers and parents of three
Hours before they were both found dead, Kristen contacted 911 with concern about her husband's health, but then they declined medical treatment when first responders arrived
The report did not change the original cause of death determined for the Ruskeys
A coroner's report has shed new light on the events leading up to the unexpected deaths of married parents of three at a residence in California more than two months ago.
John "Jay" Ruskey and Kristen Ruskey, farmers and founders of Frinj Coffee, were found dead on Feb. 8 — and their deaths were ruled accidental, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office.
At the time, the department said they died "of toxic effects of carbon monoxide and ethanol," noting that officials found a disconnected carbon monoxide and smoke detector in their room upon arriving at the scene.
Now, a much more detailed portrait of how the couple spent their final hours has emerged.
On the evening of Feb. 7, the Ruskeys attended a birthday party at a friend's house in Cambria, according to a report obtained by SFGate and the Santa Barbara Independent. That night, there were between 50 and 60 guests at the residence.
Guests told investigators that the couple was last seen around 2 a.m. local time on Feb. 8 before going up to their room.
Around 4:30 a.m., Kristen, 49, called 911 to report that Jay, 53, might be experiencing a seizure, the outlets reported. But by the time first responders arrived, she told them Jay was having a “bad trip” after consuming a chocolate bar that contained “shrooms."
“Based on the totality of the circumstances and the decedent's observed behavior, medics advised the decedent to be transported to a hospital for further evaluation and a higher level of care,” the report stated.
However, Jay rejected all medical treatment and the Ruskeys went back to bed.
Hours later, around 9:30 a.m., guests discovered Kristen unresponsive in the laundry room, which was near the bedroom where the couple was staying, according to the outlets.
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When Jay was found in the bedroom, he was “unresponsive, pulseless, and not breathing," reported the Santa Barbara Independent.
EMS arrived as the guests administered CPR on the couple, but the Ruskeys were pronounced dead at the scene.
Five days later, on Feb. 13, the owner of the residence where the couple died contacted police, expressing concern about carbon monoxide levels at the property. Authorities later confirmed that the carbon monoxide detector was not functioning.
During the autopsy, the coroner found no signs of trauma, but toxicology reports did show dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Officials also noted that Kristen had a blood alcohol content level of 0.04 and that no drugs were found in their room or vehicle, nor did any attendees say they saw Jay consume any drugs.
The report confirmed their cause of death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
PEOPLE reached out to the San Luis Obispo Coroner for additional comment.
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Jay and Kristen left behind three teenage children — and a GoFundMe set up on their behalf has raised over $192,000 as of Monday, April 20.
“It is with profound and shattered hearts that we share the news of the tragic passing of our beloved Jay and Kristen Ruskey,” the family said in a statement to the Santa Barbara Independent.
“They were the pillars of our family, known not only for their devotion to one another but for their unwavering love for their children. To those who knew them, they were the first to offer a helping hand to others," their family added. "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."
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