King of the Hill star Jonathan Joss’s neighbor indicted for actor’s murder

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Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, the man accused of killing voice actor Jonathan Joss, was formally charged with murder on Monday, according to court documents in Bexar County, Texas.

Joss, a 59-year-old man from San Antonio, was fatally shot on June 1st near his home. He was well-known as the voice of John Redcorn on a popular animated TV show. This same home had also been damaged by a mysterious fire earlier in the year.

According to police, the actor was getting his mail when his neighbor, Alvarez – who he’s known for a long time – drove up, argued with him, and then immediately shot him with a rifle.

In a statement to the San Antonio Police Department, Alvarez quickly confessed to his actions.

When an officer arrived, he allegedly looked directly at him and said: ‘I shot him.’ 

The shocking attack deeply affected those who cared about Joss, including his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, who thinks the crime was motivated by hate.

Kern de Gonzales stated that Ceja was prejudiced against gay people and was visibly upset by same-sex affection.

Investigators quickly zeroed in on the pair’s fraught history. 

Neighbors told reporters the men had clashed for years, describing constant tension on the block. 

A woman who wished to remain anonymous said Ceja appeared frustrated and reported that Joss often shouted loudly in the neighborhood.

Records back up the picture of a troubled home life. 

Since January 2024, police have responded to over 50 calls involving Joss’s home. These calls covered a wide range of issues, including concerns about his well-being, disagreements with neighbors, requests for welfare checks, and a house fire in January that resulted in a total loss.

Yet no one imagined the feud would escalate into a fatal shooting.

I was absolutely shocked when I heard that Alvarez, even after confessing to the killing, was let out of jail after only three days! It’s unbelievable that his bond was set so low – just $200,000. It feels like a real injustice, and I’m deeply concerned about this whole situation.

His attorney, Nico LaHood, now argues the shooting wasn’t murder at all, but an act of protection.

LaHood stated on June 24th that this outcome was sadly predictable, and that Texans have the right to feel safe and avoid becoming victims.

You have the right to defend yourself, and you also have the legal right to defend others. We believe that right applies in this situation.

Joss’s death sent shock waves through both the animation world and Hollywood. 

For over ten years, from 1997 to 2009, the actor was the voice of John Redcorn on the animated series King of the Hill, a performance that made him a favorite among viewers.

He later became a fan favorite again as Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation.

Former castmates quickly offered heartfelt tributes. 

Chris Pratt shared a heartfelt message on Instagram mourning the loss of Jonathan. He described him as a genuinely kind person and encouraged his followers to cherish their loved ones, offering his condolences and prayers.

Nick Offerman shared with People that the cast was devastated by Jonathan Bailey’s passing, having spent the day communicating about it. He described Jonathan as a kind person and a beloved colleague, particularly for his role as Chief Ken Hotate, calling his death a terrible tragedy.

Joss also appeared in several popular TV shows, including Walker, Texas Ranger, Charmed, ER, Ray Donovan, and Tulsa King.

He also appeared in several movies, such as True Grit, The Magnificent Seven, Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World, and Johnson Family Vacation.

Now, the fate of one of his most beloved characters hangs in limbo.

Although three more seasons of the revived King of the Hill are planned, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels haven’t announced what they’ll do about the character John Redcorn. They haven’t said if the role will be recast with a new actor, or if the character will simply be written off the show.

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2025-11-19 01:03