Jonathan Joss, the beloved actor known for voicing John Redcorn in King of the Hill and playing Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation, has been shot dead in San Antonio, Texas. He was 59.

His husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, says the shooting was a homophobic hate crime. However, local authorities say their investigation has so far found no evidence to support that claim.

Tragic Shooting During Visit to Former Home

According to Gonzales, the couple had returned to the site of their former home — destroyed in a fire in January after what he described as two years of harassment and threats — when they discovered a grim and disturbing sight: the skull of one of their dogs placed on display, still wearing its harness.

“We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw,” Gonzales wrote on Facebook. As they grieved, he said a man approached them, shouted homophobic slurs, and opened fire. “Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life,” Gonzales said. “We had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving.”

Police found Joss lying near a road following reports of a shooting. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, 52-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, has been arrested and is being held on suspicion of murder.

The San Antonio Police Department released a statement addressing the hate crime allegations: “Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Joss’s murder was related to his sexual orientation. Should any new evidence come to light, the suspect will be charged accordingly.”

A Career That Spanned Decades

Joss was best known for his role as John Redcorn in King of the Hill, a character he voiced for over 12 seasons. His voice was due to return in the show’s upcoming revival, set to launch on Hulu on August 4. He also appeared in Parks and Recreation as Chief Ken Hotate, a role that endeared him to fans of the show’s quirky and heartfelt humor.

Tributes have poured in from colleagues and fans alike. Parks and Rec co-star Nick Offerman told People, “Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy.”

King of the Hill creators Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson said in a joint statement, “Jonathan Joss brought King of the Hill’s John Redcorn to life for over a dozen seasons, including in the upcoming revival. His voice will be missed, and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathan’s friends and family.”

A Voice, A Legacy, A Life Cut Short

Joss had appeared most recently in public just days ago, attending the King of the Hill panel at the ATX Television Festival in Austin. Though he was in the audience, he expressed disappointment on social media about not being invited to participate. In an April post, he wrote: “That character, that voice, that story… they were my home, my pride, my connection to something bigger than myself. To not be invited felt like being shut out of a place I helped build.”

Gonzales, in his emotional tribute, described their relationship as filled with love and strength. “He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get,” he said, adding that they had married on Valentine’s Day and were planning to buy a trailer and rebuild their lives after losing their home.

What Comes Next

Joss’s death has shocked the entertainment world and ignited renewed concern over violence targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, especially amid rising hate crimes in the U.S.

While police continue to investigate, including the possibility of a hate crime, the entertainment industry mourns the loss of a uniquely talented performer whose work resonated with millions.