In a devastating turn of events, Jonathan Joss, the talented voice actor known for his roles in the iconic animated series King of the Hill and the beloved sitcom Parks and Recreation, was shot dead in what his husband alleges was a homophobic hate crime. However, police officials have reported that there is currently no evidence supporting this claim.
At the age of 59, Joss was visiting the site of his former home in Texas, which had been destroyed in a fire earlier this year. His husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, shared a harrowing account of the tragic day on social media. According to Gonzales, while they were mourning the loss of their home and grieving the discovery of a deceased pet's skull, a man approached them and began hurling violent homophobic slurs before opening fire.
Gonzales recounted, "When we returned to the site to check our mail, we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress." He emphasized that they were not armed nor threatening anyone during the encounter, stating, "We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life."
Following the shooting, the San Antonio Police Department found Joss lying near a road after responding to reports of gunfire. A suspect, identified as Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. In a statement, the police assured the public that they take allegations of hate crimes seriously and will pursue any new evidence that may arise during the investigation.
As news of Jonathan Joss's death spread, colleagues and friends from the entertainment industry expressed their grief. Actor Nick Offerman, who worked alongside Joss on Parks and Recreation, conveyed heartfelt tributes, stating, "Jonathan was such a sweet guy, and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy." The creators of King of the Hill, including Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, released a statement acknowledging the significant impact Joss had on the show, saying, "His voice will be missed at King of the Hill, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathan's friends and family."
Jonathan Joss's most recent public appearance was at a King of the Hill panel during the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas. Despite expressing his disappointment at not being invited to participate in the panel, he remained passionate about his work. "This show was a part of my life for many years," he wrote. "That character, that voice, that story... they were my home, my pride, my connection to something bigger than myself."
As the investigation into his tragic death continues, fans of Joss and the shows he graced will remember him not only for his talent but also for the love he shared with those around him. Jonathan Joss's legacy will undoubtedly live on through his work in King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation, reminding us all of the joy he brought to audiences everywhere.
