Beloved Santa Barbara culinary couple dies mysteriously, leaving three children behind: ‘Unimaginable tragedy’

A well-known Santa Barbara couple died mysteriously this week, leaving behind three children and a host of unanswered questions.

Coffee and exotic-fruit farmers John and Kristen Ruskey were found dead at a residence in Cambria on Sunday, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

The pair was known locally as the founders of Good Land Organics, an exotic fruit farm, as well as a coffee business called FRINJ Coffee.

John and Kristen Ruskey leave behind three children following their deaths on Sunday.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Cipolla said the case is under investigation but so far, the deaths do not appear to be suspicious.

Authorities performed autopsies on the couple Thursday and toxicology results are expected in a few weeks, Cipolla said.

The couple is survived by their 19-year-old daughter Kasurina and 16-year-old twin sons Aiden and Sean, according to a GoFundMe established by family friend Jose Caballero.

“The Ruskeys were caring and generous members of our community, always eager to support schools, causes, and friends,” wrote Caballero in the online fundraiser that had already garnered more than $135,000 in donations by Friday night.

“We are all at a loss to navigate this unimaginable tragedy,” Caballero added.

The dead couple lived in idyllic Santa Barbara. Getty Images

The Ruskey’s family declined to comment through Caballero.

Local journalist Matt Kettmann, a longtime friend of the couple, said that questions around the pair’s unexpected demise were swirling in Santa Barbara’s tight-knit culinary community.

“They had a big footprint here,” said Kettmann. “I’ve been getting notes from everyone from farmers, to wine people, to restaurant owners, who are shocked and saddened by their sudden and tragic passing.”