A Texas grand jury has indicted a man for the murder of “King of the Hill” voice actor Jonathan Joss in what authorities are still investigating as a potential hate crime involving years of escalating neighbor disputes.
Story Snapshot
- Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 57, was indicted for murdering voice actor Jonathan Joss in June 2025.
- Suspect allegedly yelled homophobic slurs before shooting Joss and his husband at their San Antonio home.
- Long-standing neighbor dispute escalated over the years, with previous armed confrontations reported.
- Police initially denied a hate crime connection but later reversed their position as the investigation continues.
Grand Jury Returns Murder Indictment
A Bexar County grand jury returned a murder indictment against Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez on November 17, 2025, for the shooting death of Jonathan Joss.
The 57-year-old defendant remains free on a $200,000 bond while facing the most serious charge available under Texas law. Ceja Alvarez allegedly confessed to officers at the scene, stating, “I shot him,” as he was being detained, according to police reports obtained by local media.
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
Hate Crime Investigation Remains Open
San Antonio police continue investigating whether Joss’s sexual orientation motivated the shooting, despite initially stating no evidence supported a hate crime connection.
Police Chief William McManus later acknowledged his department’s initial statement was “premature” and confirmed the victim’s orientation remains part of their investigation.
Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, reported the shooter yelled “violent homophobic slurs” before opening fire on June 1, 2025, as the couple checked their mail.
Years of Escalating Neighbor Conflicts
The fatal shooting represents the violent culmination of years-long disputes between the neighboring men in San Antonio. Friends and neighbors described previous armed confrontations between Joss and Ceja Alvarez that had never turned violent until the June incident.
The shooting occurred at Joss’s home, which had been burned down in January 2025, requiring the couple to check mail at their damaged property.
Defense Denies Hate Crime Allegations
Alfonso Otero, Ceja Alvarez’s attorney, maintains his client’s innocence and denies any homophobic statements were made during the confrontation. The defense’s position directly contradicts witness testimony from Joss’s husband regarding the alleged slurs.
Under Texas law, hate crime designations serve as sentencing enhancements rather than separate charges, meaning any bias motivation would increase penalties upon conviction rather than alter the current murder charge.
Beloved Voice Actor’s Legacy
Jonathan Joss, 59, gained recognition voicing John Redcorn, a Native American character on the acclaimed animated series “King of the Hill,” which ran for 13 seasons from 1997 to 2008. He also portrayed Chief Ken Hotate on “Parks and Recreation” and appeared in two episodes of “Tulsa King” in 2022.
Joss had already completed work on the show’s reboot, which premiered in August 2025, ensuring his iconic character would continue entertaining audiences despite his tragic death.
