SAN ANTONIO — A grand jury has indicted Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 57, on a murder charge in connection with the shooting death of actor Jonathan Joss, best known for voicing the character John Redcorn on the animated series “King of the Hill.” The indictment came down earlier this week, according to sources.
Alvarez was initially arrested shortly after Joss was shot multiple times at his former residence on June 1. Following the arrest, he was released on bail but was subject to house arrest. The tragic incident has raised questions about the nature of the confrontation between the two men, which neighbors say had been ongoing, characterized by frequent disputes.
Witnesses reported that Joss, 59, was retrieving mail with his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, when Alvarez allegedly approached them. Reports suggest that just before the shooting, Alvarez made homophobic remarks, prompting Joss to push his husband out of the way, ultimately saving his life. San Antonio police noted that while homophobic slurs were purportedly voiced, they have yet to uncover evidence directly linking Joss’s sexual orientation to the motive for the shooting.
Neighbors described a long-standing feud between the men, with frequent disputes that sometimes escalated to threats involving weapons. Joss’s husband shared on social media that they had endured years of harassment by Alvarez, asserting the violence stemmed from repeated homophobic attacks.
In a tragic twist, Joss had recently suffered a loss prior to the shooting; his childhood home burned down earlier this year, claiming the lives of his three dogs and leaving him to navigate a significant personal disaster. Despite the upheaval, he and his husband regularly returned to the property to collect their mail.
Joss was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting. His legacy spans beyond “King of the Hill,” as he had also appeared in popular series like “Parks and Recreation,” where he played Chief Ken Hotate, as well as movies such as “True Grit” and “The Magnificent Seven.” He had recently recorded additional lines for the much-anticipated revival of “King of the Hill.”
As the investigation unfolds and trial proceedings loom, the community is left grappling with the loss of an actor who had made a lasting impact through his work and connection with fans.