Jonathan Joss, renowned for his voice role as John Redcorn on the animated TV series King of the Hill and his recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation, was tragically shot dead in San Antonio, Texas. The 59-year-old actor’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, described the shooting as a homophobic hate crime, though police have not found evidence to support this claim.
Incident Occurred at Site of Former Home
The shooting took place when Jonathan Joss and his husband returned to the site of their former home, which had been destroyed by fire in January. The couple had endured years of threats from neighbors, culminating in the arson attack. Gonzales shared on social media the emotional trauma they faced, recounting how they discovered the skull of one of their dogs displayed at the site, which caused them great distress.
Husband Describes Violent Attack
According to Gonzales, as they were grieving and reacting to the grim discovery, a man approached them, shouting violent homophobic slurs before suddenly firing a gun. Joss bravely pushed his husband out of harm’s way, saving his life but sustaining fatal injuries himself. The couple was unarmed and posed no threat to the attacker.
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Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
San Antonio police quickly responded to the shooting after a report was made. Officers found Joss lying near a road, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. A suspect, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, was arrested on suspicion of murder. Police have stated that, despite online claims of a hate crime, no evidence currently suggests the shooting was related to Joss’s sexual orientation. They emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that any new evidence will be thoroughly reviewed.
Tributes from Co-Stars and Creators
News of Joss’s death has deeply affected the entertainment community. Nick Offerman, who worked alongside Joss on Parks and Recreation, expressed heartbreak, calling Jonathan “such a sweet guy.” Offerman shared that the cast has been in constant contact, mourning the loss of their friend and colleague.
The creators of King of the Hill—Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson—also paid tribute, stating that Joss brought the character John Redcorn to life for over a dozen seasons. They noted his voice will be missed, especially with the upcoming revival of the show.
King of the Hill Revival and Joss’s Last Public Appearance
King of the Hill, which first aired in 1997 and ran for over 250 episodes, remains a beloved show set in Texas that follows the life of propane salesman Hank Hill and his family and friends. The series is now being revived, with the new season set to debut on Hulu on August 4.
Jonathan Joss was last seen publicly on Friday at a King of the Hill panel during the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas. He was in the audience and had previously expressed disappointment on social media at not being invited to participate in the panel, sharing how much the show and his character meant to him.
A Life Remembered
Joss’s husband, Gonzales, shared a heartfelt message about their time together, saying Jonathan gave more love than many people ever receive in their lifetime. They had recently married on Valentine’s Day and were searching for a trailer to settle down together. Gonzales was with Joss when he passed and said he told him how much he was loved.
The loss of Jonathan Joss is felt not only by his family and jonathan friends but also by fans and colleagues worldwide who admired his work and character. His contributions to television, especially in King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation, have left a lasting legacy.
