Indictment in the Murder of "King of the Hill" Actor Jonathan Joss

On June 1, 2025, Jonathan Joss, a 59-year-old voice actor known for his role as John Redcorn on the animated series "King of the Hill," was fatally shot outside his home in San Antonio, Texas. Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 57, has been indicted on one count of murder by a Bexar County grand jury. The incident reportedly stemmed from a long-standing dispute between Joss and Alvarez, who were neighbors. Following the shooting, Alvarez fled the scene but later confessed to police, stating, "I shot him."

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The confrontation occurred as Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, were checking their mail at the site of their former home, which had been damaged by a fire earlier that year. De Gonzales has alleged that Alvarez approached them while yelling "violent homophobic slurs" before opening fire. He emphasized that the couple had been subjected to ongoing harassment related to their sexual orientation, claiming that they had reported threats to law enforcement multiple times without resolution.

The Independent

Alvarez was arrested shortly after the shooting and released on a $200,000 bond. His defense attorney has claimed that the shooting was an act of self-defense, asserting that Texas law allows individuals to protect themselves and others. The San Antonio Police Department initially stated there was no evidence to classify Joss's death as a hate crime, but later indicated that the investigation would consider whether homophobia played a role in the shooting.

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The Bexar County District Attorney's Office confirmed that Alvarez is charged with murder, the most serious applicable charge under Texas law. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus acknowledged that the initial assessment of the case was "premature" and that the investigation would explore the potential hate crime aspect. The police department has noted that they responded to over 70 calls for service at Joss's address in the months leading up to the incident.

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De Gonzales has been vocal about the harassment he and Joss faced, describing the environment as hostile and openly homophobic. He expressed frustration with the police's previous inaction regarding their complaints. Critics of the investigation have raised concerns about the adequacy of law enforcement's response to the threats faced by the couple.

Rolling Stone

While De Gonzales insists that the shooting was motivated by hate, the San Antonio Police Department has maintained that there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim. The investigation remains ongoing, and the potential for new evidence could influence the charges against Alvarez.

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• “I shot him.” — Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, during police detention.

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• “We were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship,” — Tristan Kern de Gonzales.

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• “As you know, people in Texas have a right not to be a victim,” — Nico LaHood, defense attorney for Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez.

The Independent

As the case progresses, the implications of Joss's death and the surrounding circumstances continue to resonate within the community and raise questions about the intersection of violence, discrimination, and law enforcement response.

People Magazine