"King of the Hill" Star's Murder Was It a Hate Crime?

Tragedy in San Antonio: Jonathan Joss' Husband Alleges 'King of the Hill' Actor's Murder Was a Homophobic Attack

The entertainment world and the LGBTQ+ community are in mourning following the death of Jonathan Joss, the actor renowned for voicing John Redcorn in the animated series "King of the Hill." The circumstances surrounding his death have become increasingly complex, with his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, alleging that the shooting was motivated by hate.

Joss, 59, was fatally shot near his home in south San Antonio on Sunday night. While authorities have arrested 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja and charged him with murder, the investigation is ongoing, and the motive remains a point of contention.

De Gonzales, in a statement released shortly after the incident, painted a harrowing picture, claiming that Ceja yelled "violent homophobic slurs" before opening fire. "He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other," Gonzales wrote, highlighting the alleged hate-motivated nature of the crime.

Key points from Gonzales' statement:

• Prior to the shooting, Joss and de Gonzales had experienced ongoing harassment, much of which was "openly homophobic."
• Their home had been significantly damaged in a fire in January, which they believe was arson motivated by hate. The fire tragically claimed the lives of their three dogs.
• He alleges they had reported threats to law enforcement numerous times, but "nothing was done."
• On the night of the shooting, they were at the property checking the mail when they found the skull and harness of one of their deceased dogs, causing them immense distress.
• De Gonzales claims that after they began yelling and crying, Ceja approached them and began yelling violent homophobic slurs before shooting.
• He states Jonathan Joss pushed him out of the way, saving his life before being fatally shot.

However, the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) has issued a statement indicating that their investigation has not yet found evidence to support the claim that the murder was related to Joss's sexual orientation.

"We take such allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information. Should any new evidence come to light, we will charge the suspect accordingly," SAPD stated.

Adding another layer to the narrative, a neighbor, speaking to NBC affiliate WOAI, claimed that Joss had an ongoing feud with several people in the neighborhood and "had been acting erratically over the past several months." Another neighbor told Telemundo San Antonio that they reported Joss to police for allegedly walking in the area carrying a rifle and yelling expletives. They claim police dismissed their concerns, stating Joss had moved to North Carolina and no longer posed a threat.

Despite these claims, De Gonzales maintains that the couple was targeted due to their relationship. He recounted the devastation of the fire that destroyed their home, stating, "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."

Jonathan Joss was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. Beyond "King of the Hill," he had a recurring role on "Parks and Recreation" and appeared in episodes of "Tulsa King." He was in Austin for events related to the upcoming "King of the Hill" revival just days before his death. The reboot of "King of the Hill" is slated to begin in August, and Joss had already recorded voice work for four episodes.

Joss’s recent Instagram post reflected his excitement about the revival: "The fans get to revisit ‘King of the Hill’ again, which I think is an amazing thing because it’s a great show."

De Gonzales shared that Joss deeply valued his fans, considering them "family." The couple had married earlier this year on Valentine’s Day.

The investigation into Jonathan Joss's death is ongoing, and the conflicting accounts highlight the complexities of the case. Whether the motive was hate-based or stemmed from other factors remains to be determined. Regardless, the loss of a talented actor and the pain experienced by his loved ones serve as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing hate and violence in all its forms, and the need for thorough investigations to ensure justice is served.

Tags: Jonathan Joss, King of the Hill, Homophobic slurs, San Antonio, Murder, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Hate crime, Actor death, NBC DFW

Source: https://www.nbcdfw.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/jonathan-joss-husband-claims-king-of-the-hill-actors-killing-was-homophobic-attack/3854687/