King of the Hill and Parks and Rec actor shot dead
3 min read
"King of the Hill" star Jonathan Joss shot dead; husband claims hate crime, police say no evidence yet.
Jonathan Joss, the voice actor best known for portraying John Redcorn on King of the Hill and Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, has been shot and killed at the age of 59 in San Antonio, Texas. The incident has sparked controversy and grief, with his husband alleging it was a homophobic hate crime, while police say no such motive has been confirmed.
Joss was shot when he and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, returned to the site of their former home, which had previously been destroyed in a fire following what Gonzales described as “over two years of threats” from locals.
Allegations of a Hate Crime
In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Gonzales described a chilling sequence of events. Upon arriving at the ruins of their home, the couple found the skull and harness of one of their dogs, displayed in a way that appeared intentional and cruel. The discovery triggered intense emotional distress.
“As we were grieving, a man approached and began shouting violent homophobic slurs,” Gonzales wrote. “He then raised a gun from his lap and fired.”
According to Gonzales, Joss shielded him from the bullet, ultimately saving his life.
“Jonathan gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get,” Gonzales added. The couple had recently married on Valentine’s Day and were in the process of finding a trailer to live in.
“I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved,” he wrote.
Police Response and Arrest
The San Antonio Police Department responded to reports of a shooting and found Joss lying near the roadside. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja has been arrested on suspicion of murder. However, in a statement, the police said, “Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Joss’s murder was related to his sexual orientation.”
The department added that investigators are treating the allegations seriously and will continue to evaluate new evidence if it emerges. “Should any new evidence come to light, the suspect will be charged accordingly,” the statement read.
A Loss Felt in the Entertainment Industry
News of Joss’s death has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and fans of the shows he was a part of.
Actor Nick Offerman, who starred alongside Joss on Parks and Recreation, told People: “The cast has been texting together about it all day and we’re just heartbroken. Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy.”
The creators of King of the Hill—Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson—also expressed their condolences: “Jonathan Joss brought King of the Hill’s John Redcorn to life for over a dozen seasons, including in the upcoming revival. His voice will be missed.”
Joss had recently attended a King of the Hill panel at the ATX Television Festival in Austin. While he was in the audience, he had shared on Facebook his disappointment about not being invited to speak.
“This show was a part of my life for many years,” he wrote in April. “That character, that voice, that story… they were my home, my pride, my connection to something bigger than myself. To not be invited felt like being shut out of a place I helped build.”
Legacy and Final Farewell
King of the Hill, set in Texas and focused on propane salesman Hank Hill, was a cultural staple from 1997 to 2010, airing over 250 episodes. A revival of the series is set to premiere on Hulu on August 4, though it remains unclear how the show will address Joss’s passing.
Joss’s contributions to animation and television representation—particularly as a Native American voice actor—have left a lasting impact. His sudden death has not only brought sorrow to fans but also renewed discussion around hate crimes, community safety, and the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.
About The Author
