A Texas grand jury has indicted a neighbor in the shocking murder of beloved “King of the Hill” voice actor Jonathan Joss, but authorities remain silent on whether this was a hate crime despite witness claims of homophobic slurs during the fatal shooting.
Story Snapshot
- Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 57, was indicted for murder in the shooting death of voice actor Jonathan Joss.
- Victim’s husband claims shooter yelled homophobic slurs before opening fire.
- Long-standing neighbor dispute escalated from armed confrontations to deadly violence.
- San Antonio authorities initially dismissed the hate crime angle, then reversed course.
Grand Jury Issues Murder Indictment
A Bexar County grand jury returned a murder indictment against Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez on Monday, November 17, 2025, for the fatal shooting of Jonathan Joss.
The 57-year-old defendant remains free on a $200,000 bond while facing the most serious charge applicable under Texas law. Ceja Alvarez allegedly confessed to officers immediately after his detention, stating, “I shot him,” according to police reports obtained by CBS affiliate KENS-TV.
A grand jury in Texas has indicted the man accused of killing "King of the Hill" voice actor Jonathan Joss on a murder charge.https://t.co/QclecSdqMU
— CBS News Texas (@CBSNewsTexas) November 19, 2025
Deadly Confrontation at Family Home
Police allege Ceja Alvarez confronted Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, on June 1, 2025, as they checked mail at their San Antonio residence. The home had previously been damaged by fire in January, adding another layer of stress to the couple’s situation.
According to Kern de Gonzales’ account, the shooter yelled “violent homophobic slurs” before opening fire on the 59-year-old voice actor, suggesting this may have been more than just a neighborhood dispute.
Years of Escalating Neighbor Conflicts
Friends and neighbors revealed that Joss and Ceja Alvarez had been feuding for years before the fatal encounter. KENS-TV reported that the two men had previously confronted each other while armed with weapons, though these earlier incidents never turned violent.
The escalation from heated arguments to deadly force raises questions about what factors pushed this neighbor dispute beyond the breaking point into tragedy.
Authorities Reverse Course on Hate Crime Investigation
San Antonio police initially stated there was no evidence linking the shooting to Joss’ sexual orientation, but Police Chief William McManus later retracted that statement as “premature.” The chief confirmed that whether the victim’s sexual orientation played a role remains “part of the investigation.”
Under Texas law, hate crimes are handled as sentencing enhancements rather than separate charges, meaning prosecutors could still pursue this angle if convicted. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office declined to provide additional details while the case remains pending.
Beloved Voice Actor’s Legacy Cut Short
Joss brought life to John Redcorn, a Native American character on the iconic “King of the Hill” animated series that ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. He had already completed work on the show’s reboot that premiered in August 2025, ensuring his final performance would reach fans.
The talented actor also portrayed Chief Ken Hotate on “Parks and Recreation” and appeared in two episodes of “Tulsa King” in 2022, building a respected career in television that was tragically ended by neighborhood violence.
