The entertainment world recently heard some truly sad news. Jonathan Joss, a voice actor known for playing John Redcorn on King of the Hill, was shot and killed in June 2025. This happened in San Antonio, Texas. Since then, more about his private life has come into public view. His husband, Tristan Kern De Gonzales, has been sharing details about Jonathan’s death, trying to help people understand what happened.
"I was with him when he passed," Tristan wrote in a very emotional Facebook post after the news broke. "I told him how much he was loved. To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family. My focus now is on protecting Jonathan’s legacy and honoring the life we built together." His words are raw and impossible to ignore. Jonathan deserved safety, joy, and a future with his husband. They both did.
Jonathan was an actor with many credits in movies and TV shows. Besides King of the Hill, he appeared in Parks and Recreation, Walker Texas Ranger, The Wild Thornberrys, and Charmed. His husband Tristan shared that they had been married for three months, having tied the knot on Valentine’s Day of 2025. It is still unclear how long they were together before that happy day.
Tristan Kern De Gonzales Shares His Heartbreaking Account of the Moments Leading to Jonathan Joss's KillingA Look Into The Disturbing Events That Preceded The Tragic Shooting of The Beloved Voice Actor
"He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get. We were newlyweds," Tristan wrote in his June 2025 Facebook post. "We picked Valentine’s Day to tie the knot. We were in the process of looking for a trailer and planning our future." This picture of their new life together makes the tragedy even harder to accept. The happiness they shared was cut short in a horrifying way.
The suspect in Jonathan’s shooting was identified as Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja. Newsweek reported that Sigfredo was a former neighbor of the late actor. The actual reason for Jonathan’s fatal shooting has not been proven yet. However, Tristan has publicly claimed it was a hate crime. His account paints a very dark picture of what he says led up to the event.
"My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home," Tristan stated on Facebook. He went on to describe a history of threats. "That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times, and nothing was done." Tristan also alleged that they were harassed regularly by individuals who "made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic."
Tristan then detailed the alleged moments right before Jonathan’s death. "When we returned to the site to check our mail, we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw." He continued, "While we were doing this, a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life."
Jonathan Joss, the voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill, recently passed away in a tragic shooting. We look at the details of his death and his lasting impact on TV.
Police Statements And Previous Neighborly Disputes Add To The Complex Picture
Examining The Official Investigation And The History Of Incidents In The Neighborhood
The San Antonio Police Department has released a statement. It said "Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that the Mr. Joss’s murder was related to his sexual orientation." This statement from the police creates a stark contrast to Tristan's deeply personal and emotional account. Authorities have not yet shared a motive or more details from their investigation.
Police records obtained by NBC News, along with interviews with Tristan and neighbors, show a complicated history. Tristan stated that he and Joss had problems with their neighbors, including Ceja, for years. He claims many neighbors would shout anti-gay slurs at them. They also complained about them being "loud," making them feel unwanted. Police were called to their home over 48 times, mostly for "disturbances."
One neighbor, who asked to remain unnamed due to fear, said Joss was difficult to live next to. Tristan admitted they could be loud, saying, "Me and Jonathan would be out there late at night playing the drums, singing, being a nuisance. If you’re going to make it hard for us to live here, you ain’t going to get no sleep." A spokesperson for the San Antonio Police Department confirmed that their "SAFFE" unit, which aims to prevent crimes, had been trying to mediate disputes between Ceja and Joss for over a year. In June 2024, Ceja even told police that Joss approached his house with a crossbow and used racial slurs. Joss confirmed to police that he went to Ceja's house to talk about their dogs fighting. Police records show authorities later found a crossbow in Joss's living room.
The fire that destroyed their home was also part of this complicated past. Joss told police he was using a barbecue in his living room because he had no heat or electricity. He said he turned it off before leaving. He also told police an unnamed person saw Ceja on his property the day before the fire. This suggested Ceja was responsible. The officer writing the report said the fire was "undetermined in nature" but did not rule out human involvement. This fire made them homeless, but they still got married. Tristan said it was a "very nice, simple ceremony" and they were "really and really proud to be married.”
Tristan said when they found the dog skull on their property, they believed a neighbor put it there to taunt them. This led Joss to walk down the street with a pitchfork and yell. Minutes later, Ceja allegedly pulled up and shot Joss. A police report from the shooting says Ceja told officers, "I shot him" when he was arrested. Tristan passionately stated, "I could give two f----s less if me or my husband had 50 pitchforks in every orifice of our body rolling up and down that street like tumbleweed. It don’t matter."
Nick Offerman and the Parks and Recreation cast are remembering their friend Jonathan Joss as Offerman's new film Sovereign explores complex family and social issues.
Jonathan Joss's Acting Career And How His Colleagues Are Remembering Him
The Parks And Recreation Cast Shares Their Heartbreak Over The Loss Of Their Former Co-Star
Jonathan Joss's death was a huge loss for many people in the industry. Nick Offerman, who starred with Joss on Parks and Recreation, spoke about how the cast is dealing with the news. "The cast has been texting together about it all day and we’re just heartbroken," Offerman shared. "Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy."
Joss had a recurring role as the leader of the Native American Wamapoke Tribe on the popular sitcom. He spent five years on the show, working alongside big names like Offerman, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Chris Pratt, and Aubrey Plaza. His presence on screen was always memorable. He brought a unique charm to his characters. This made him a favorite for many viewers.
On the morning of June 2, PEOPLE confirmed the death of the King of the Hill voice actor. He was 59 years old. Police responded to a shooting and found Joss "near the roadway." They tried to save him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect was caught shortly after and has been identified as 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, a neighbor of Joss. Cejam has been booked for murder, and the investigation is still happening.
Tristan’s Facebook post ended with a powerful message. "Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built." This statement shows the deep love and commitment he has for his late husband. It also speaks to the profound impact Jonathan had on his life. This tragic event leaves many questions and a deep sense of loss. It is a stark reminder of the issues that people face every day.