Husband of ‘King of the Hill’ actor Jonathan Joss alleges his murder was a homophobic hate crime
SAN ANTONIO (Gray News) – The husband of Jonathan Joss, the actor who voiced John Redcorn on “King of the Hill,” is alleging that the actor’s murder was a hate crime rooted in homophobia.
Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, is charged with Joss’ murder after allegedly shooting him in San Antonio on Sunday night.
Police said Joss, 59, was shot multiple times at his former home and was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to KENS, officers found Alvarez about a block away after he fled the scene.
Neighbors told KENS that Joss had lived on the street for a long time, but his house burned down several months ago. Since then, neighbors said Joss and his husband regularly came back to grab their mail from the still-standing mailbox.
The Associated Press confirmed that the home burned down in January. It was Joss’ childhood home, where he lived at the time of the fire. He lost all his belongings, and his three dogs were killed in the blaze.
The day of the shooting, Alvarez allegedly confronted Joss and his husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales as the two were checking their mailbox.
In a statement, Joss’ husband said that when Alvarez opened fire, Joss pushed his husband out of the way and saved his life.
Neighbors told KENS that Joss and Alvarez had a longstanding feud in the neighborhood and argued frequently, often with weapons.
The exact motive behind the fatal shooting remains unclear, but Joss’ husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, claimed Alvarez yelled “violent homophobic slurs” before opening fire.
San Antonio police, however, said they haven’t found any evidence to indicate that Joss’ murder was related to his sexual orientation.
In a statement posted to Facebook, de Gonzales alleged that he and Joss were the target of homophobic attacks for years.
He wrote:
According to KTBC, Bexar County court records show Alvarez posted a $200,000 bond Monday night, the day after the shooting. He is now on house arrest.
A pre-trial hearing is set for Aug. 19.
Joss voiced the character of John Redcorn from season 2 through season 13 of “King of the Hill.” Variety reports that he had already recorded lines for the revival of the popular animated series. He took over the role from original actor Victor Aaron after he died in 1996 in a car accident.
According to IMDb, Joss also had a recurring role in “Parks and Recreation” as Chief Ken Hotate. He also appeared in films and shows including “Tulsa King,” “Ray Donovan,” “True Grit,” “The Magnificent Seven” and more.
Since Joss’ killing, fellow actors and fans have honored him with tributes and fond remembrances.
Actor Chris Pratt, who worked with Joss on “Parks and Recreation,” fondly ed the actor in an Instagram story on Monday. Both actors had also appeared in the 2016 remake of “The Magnificent Seven.”
“Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude,” Pratt wrote. “Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones.”
In a Facebook post, San Antonio-based Our Lady of the Lake University, Joss’ alma mater, called him “a trailblazer in his field. His work and advocacy have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire.”
“You were more than a character — you were a storyteller, a dreamer, and a force that will never be forgotten,” comedian Roy Alex Gomez, who was a friend of Joss, wrote in a Facebook post.
Copyright 2025 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
