King of the Hill Voice Actor Jonathan Joss Shot and Killed in San Antonio at 59

• by Arlen Fitzpatrick
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Jonathan Joss: The End of a Distinctive Voice

Jonathan Joss, best known as the voice of John Redcorn on the long-running animated series King of the Hill, was shot and killed outside his home in San Antonio on June 1, 2025. The 59-year-old actor was found by responding officers after police received reports of a shooting on Dorsey Drive around 7 p.m. Despite efforts at the scene, paramedics pronounced him dead shortly after they arrived, leaving family, colleagues, and fans to process the sudden loss of a singular talent.

The immediate aftermath saw police swiftly detaining 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, who has since been booked on a murder charge. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, with more details promised as they piece together what led to the fatal encounter. For now, San Antonio law enforcement are treading carefully—open to new developments that could reshape the story as fresh evidence comes in.

A Career That Reached Across Television and Gaming

Joss's influence wasn’t confined to just one show. His voice work in King of the Hill made the character of John Redcorn instantly recognizable to viewers, infusing the role with a unique combination of humor and seriousness. On top of that, he played Ken Hotate, the crafty tribal leader in Parks and Recreation—a character that traded perfectly on Joss's knack for balancing gentle satire with genuine humanity. Fans of 90s action TV might also remember his recurring part as Raymond Firewalker in Walker, Texas Ranger, while more recent audiences caught his guest spots in gritty series like Tulsa King and Ray Donovan.

His talents reached beyond television. In 2023, Joss lent his voice to the blockbuster video game expansion Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, a testament to his flexibility and enduring appeal across media. Throughout his career, he opened doors for Native American representation in TV and gaming, frequently speaking about the importance of authentic voices in entertainment.

Colleagues have started sharing stories of Joss’s quiet support for others behind the scenes, describing him as someone who made time to mentor younger talent and advocate for increased diversity in the industry. His loss resonates far beyond the credits he collected.

The Shadow of Harassment and Rising Questions

There’s another layer to Joss’s death that is unsettling hearts in the community. According to Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Joss’s husband, the couple had faced a barrage of homophobic abuse for months. Their former residence was vandalized and allegedly set on fire in January 2025—a terrifying act that killed three of their dogs and forced them to relocate. De Gonzales says they reported threats repeatedly to authorities, but claims their pleas were ignored.

The situation escalated further when, during the shooting, the suspect reportedly shouted homophobic slurs. This detail has raised fears that the murder may be part of a broader pattern of anti-LGBTQ violence, not just in Texas but nationwide. At the moment, though, San Antonio police maintain that they have found no clear proof that Joss’s sexual orientation was the motive for his killing. They are leaving the option open to change the classification of the crime if credible evidence turns up—insisting that the investigation is “very much still open.”

This tragic case is fueling debate about the handling of harassment reports and the persistence of bias crimes. LGBTQ advocates in San Antonio and elsewhere say Joss’s story reminds people that hate and violence don’t always disappear when the cameras turn off. They are calling for renewed attention to how authorities manage threats, especially when victimized households signal that escalation is possible.

Jonathan Joss’s voice shaped characters that touched millions, but the silence that follows his death is stirring up far deeper questions about justice, community, and what it means to be truly safe in your own home. As friends and fans grieve, all eyes remain on San Antonio police—waiting to see whether new truths will emerge from a tragedy that already feels painfully familiar to too many.