Justice for Jonathan Joss

Updates at the bottom every day there is news

Tristan's Social Media

Joss' Husband's tiktok

Joss' instagram his husband is still using

Joss' facebook his husband is still using

Protest

Joss' murderer I loathe putting him at the top but it needs to be public information. Contact the DA if you are outraged its not considered a hate crime 210-335-2311

It's 2025 and an indigenous two spirit man was murdered while protecting his trans husband.

If you are a fan of King of the Hill or Park and Rec you probably know Joss. He was well known for playing indigenous characters, perhaps best known for playing indigenous John Redcorn on King of the Hill.

I can't make a page for every trans person (let alone every indigenous trans person) murdered...sadly that would be a full time job. But as a long time fan of his I spent all of yesterday mourning. I posted his story to tumblr where it took off to be my most successful post of all time (60k interactions). I told my sister I was sick of seeing the milquetoast media reports that he 'had a dispute' with a neighbor and then apparently just gently 'passed away'...nothing mentioned of his sexuality or husband (and as tumblr pointed out: nor the fact he is indigenous).

And I was going to make sure I corrected everyone I saw. Thankfully now that the news has broken in both the queer and indigenous communities and it's not a 10 man operation anymore. I'm very glad his story is being told (even through being told off in comments, looking at you variety and king of the hill). Sadly like Nex this will be a story with several updates and it's getting lengthy for tumblr so I thought it was time to make a page. Please be advised this is just one fan feeling sad and putting her autism to use. While I've liked social media I am not working with or even speaking with anyone involved.

I'd like to quote indigenous two spirit artist Kelly Lynne D'angelo,

Joss' Life Before 2024

Jonathan Joss Gonzales was born to Lawrence Adams Gonzales and Maria H. Gonzales in 1965 and raised in San Antonio. He had one brother and three nieces and nephews. His dad was known as "the South Side Tamale Man" and owned "El Diamante Mexican Restaurant". Joss was especially close to his mother, who he called super woman.

He lived in the 1957 house his father had acquired (either bought or built is unclear) for his mother who willed it to Joss. He was Comanche and White Mountain Apache. He wanted to stay on his father's land.

While Joss had a wife and a string of ex girlfriends, speaking to Rolling Stone his husband Tristan Kern De Gonzales says Joss told him on their first date that he had done drag performances years before, as well as having worked in gay bars. "It took him a long time to figure out and just come to terms with who he was, he had always been around the community. It just took a little bit, I think, for him to find a label and then find acceptance." Joss wouldn't be open with his queerness publicly post fame until meeting Kern de Gonzales.

It also may have contributed to his later mental health issues, being at odds with his sexuality. He had told Kern de Gonazles he struggled with it for years. An ex girlfriend told Rolling Stone, "He never felt like he deserved any kind of recognition for what he did, yet he wanted recognition for what he did, he was just so conflicted and at odds with himself.”

Trey Brown, a fan who is also a ordained pastor of dudeism, said Joss called him often to vent. He refused to state about what due to confidentiality but stated Joss seemed to be dying to be heard.

Joss began acting in 1994, after graduating college. He became wildly successful as the second voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill (this first voice actor died in a car crash before season 2). Redcorn is an indigenous healer with some bad luck, known for his 14 years long affair with Dale Gribble’s wife Nancy (and fathering his son Joseph). His next big role was on Parks and Rec. Since 2013 he hadn’t had another big breakout role, despite continuing acting.

Joss repeatedly stated he never made as much as you'd think he had from the shows. He gave a fan a residual check for King of the Hill totaling 79 cents (until 2024's writer's strike streaming didn't give residuals at all in most cases). His last interview he mentioned hating Johnny Hardwick (Dale Gribble) for years because he had politely turned down an offer of Joss' that would've made them both of $250,000 for con appearances. In the same interview he mentioned regretting that when he heard Hardwick had died in 2023.

A friend alleges (not doubting him, I just don't have third party sourcing) that Joss lived on a nonfunctional houseboat for the show's remaining 12 year run just so he'd be available for call backs and pick ups. The same friend states that while other voice actors on the show were given more chances and stories, more money, Mike Judge told Joss that he really needed a better agent if he wanted those things. King of the Hill gave Joss immortality, but it also cost him dearly.

I have yet to find an article on it particularly by indigenous media, because they sadly have to rage about his murder. But Joss' long career (starting in 1994) performing often as an indigenous character would be some of the first Indigenous rep many indigenous kids would see. Tumblr in particular cited John Redcorn by and large, noting that even though he started off as a bit of a stereotype (flutes would play and his hair would blow when he spoke, a few of these performances were by Redcorn's original voice actor who died in a car crash early on) Redcorn became a beloved character fully fleshed out, with colonialism and life as an indigenous person at the forefront of his character arcs that weren't about sleeping with Dale Gribble's wife.

Or as Kelly Lynne D'Angelo wrote for Harper's Bazaar, "Can you imagine growing up in a world that sees you as a ghost? No mirrors. No reflection. The stench of your implied extinction hovering around every street corner, every high school, every laugh of your mentioning.

Welcome to the lived experience of most Natives in America. Before the 2000s, it was rare to see yourself in a textbook—let alone on screen. And if you did see yourself, it was in buckskin, in a falsified historical retelling, in a headdress. You were never really “here.” You were there: in the past. All it takes is one person to shatter the illusion that you don’t matter. That you belong here, now. For many of us, that person was Jonathan Joss."

Tafv Sampson, an indigenous actress whose father lived on Joss' houseboat for a time told Rolling Stone, “Jonathan was one of the very few actors who up-and-coming Native people could look up to, he’s kind of an icon in that way. The only roles really available at that time were the stoic Indian, the warrior, the savage, and Jonathan got to be a cartoon character. That was really rare back then, to be able to play and poke fun and make Rez jokes, and sort of be the lonely voice in the room bringing that comedy in.”

An alleged girlfriend, Brandy Wahl Trejo, claimed to date Joss from 2006 to 2019. She claimed once she met him he was living on the house boat, that it was particularly dinghy, that Joss was using meth during this time and 'to her knowledge' never quit. Trejo also admitted to using meth and using it for several years before crediting Joss for helping her get clean.

This seems at odds with other statements made by friends during this time. Other than her and some anonymous accusations, there has never been any proof Joss partook in meth, though he called himself an alcoholic the day before he died and seemed to partake in marijuana (his last interview was at a green lounge). Trejo also made a similar comment to the worst neighbor that she was surprised it 'took a long time' for Joss to be murdered. She also claimed Joss used anti latino slurs...despite the fact he had latino heritage himself. Kern de Gonzales disputed this, "Jonathan did not have xenophobic beliefs. He believed no human was illegal. He told me that many times, and it came from a deep understanding of what it means to have your very existence questioned."

In 2011 he made a small business called King of the Grill, a spice rub for meat. The business was local to San Antonio and sold online. Many fans who interacted with him through this business said he was unbelievably kind, giving out his home phone number and chatting with fans. The business lasted through 2018 and even was brought back (or said to be) in 2024. Many fans noted whether they followed his social media in general or placed King of the Grill orders, Joss often contacted them kindly and befriended them, something many cherished.

Almost every actor or industry worker who knew Joss recounted his kindness. Many felt personal heartaches had set him back. Childhood friend Patrick Zachary Cortez noted, “He knew a lot. He would teach you a lot, he would stand out. He would take over. Very lovable. Very gullible. And he could get by on a dollar any day of the week." Josh Long, friend and fan, noted "The good times around Jon were really good, and then the bad times were sad, watching from the outside, wondering what he was going through."

Around 2016 Joss made a facebook account. I went back through to see if it justified certain claims to come. 2016-2021 Joss seemed fine. Posting scripts, silly pictures, fan meet and greets, stuff you would expect on an actor’s social media.

By 2018 for reasons not made public his brother George stopped speaking with him lasting until his death. I suspect this may be when their mother died (their father passed in 2005). While I can't find when his mother passed, Joss' friend stated her passing devastated him and was before covid.

It should be noted, the home his father left was as mentioned on the south side of San Antonio. According to those who live there the area is considered poorer and less white, more rural. Cops rarely care about anything, but if it happens in the south side its almost immediately written off. This backs what many people who live in the area and dealt with sapd have said.

First Marriage 2020

Around June 2020 Joss met Laurie Park a white woman who he identified in interviews as a realtor. Whatever transpired in the marriage…began his downfall. The relationship was rocky from the start. They married in November 2020, but soon split.

During an apparent break around March 2021 he posted a personal sexual health prescription feeling she left him because he needed it. Fans began to comment that he was getting messy and seemed to be having a breakdown. This most likely was made more volatile for being at odds with his own sexuality as he later told his husband.

In February 2022 he posted about being tight on money and having someone try to rip off buying his memorabilia. This seems to be the first sign of any financial stress that he posted. Without any context he had posted a part of his home with wood broken down in March 2022, this is the first time his home appears messy online (police alleged it was a hell hole at certain points). Adding to the stress, Joss had several dogs died of old age during the period he was married to Park. He often shared his dogs online and 3 of them (at least) passed in this period, devastating him.

By June 2021 they were back together, and by December 2021 he was inviting 3 fans over to join him in the Jacuzzi. March 2022 they were back together (he called her the pina to his colada and a true southside romance), staying through April, and by July the last picture of her appears. She filed for divorce in 2023. They divorced by default (she the one seeking the divorce) Joss would claim during his final interview that she told him no one would ever believe him about the harassment and threats, because he had been involuntarily committed (sometime around 2018 and possibly the breakdown of their marriage).

The police say their file on Joss goes back to September 2023.

The divorce finalized 10/16/2023. Joss did not take it well. On 10/10/2023 police were called about him allegedly running naked in the streets with a rifle. Joss came out of his home when prompted by officers, wearing a window curtain for modesty. He acted nervous and confused. "I know someone is after me"...he believed the CIA was tracking him. Cops confiscated 3 of his guns (he would never own a firearm after) and had him involuntarily committed for observation and safety.

2024

Joss met Tristan Kern de Gonzales sometime in late 2022 on tiktok. Joss had always been very open and communicative with fans. He and Kern de Gonazales hit it off and met in late Janurary 2023 when Kern de Gonzales visited Texas from South Carolina. He says Joss met him while wearing a beautiful blue dress, with cowboy boots and a leather jacket, 'an iconic look'.

Kern de Gonzales wondered why people weren't kinder to Joss. They also suspected he may be queer but was unsure until Joss began flirting with him. Kern de Gonzales was nervous that being trans would make Joss disinterested but Joss disagreed saying, "You know, we have two-spirit people in the indigenous community." (the original term was limited to a few different tribes and often involved people who were not of just the binary sexes).

Kern de Gonzales, who is now 32 and Joss became engaged in June 2024. They married on Valentine's Day 2025. Tristan is younger than Joss and many have used that as a criticism (Joss had just turned 59 before the fire and marriage). From what I can see Tristan is the first person to make him happy in a long while

Once he became engaged to Tristan he posted again, with what appears to be an altar. He stated he was getting back to it all and creating a new tiktok (he seemed to have 3 of every social media) and looking for a voice over agent. King of the Grill mainly ended in 2018 but he vowed it’d be up again by August. He offered a percentage for anyone who helped him book a convention and again shared his personal number (which also seemed to always change).

There seem to be no criminal records for Joss (minus a speeding ticket and from his murderer). Just to be clear, mental health wellness checks, mediation visits, even basic cop visits would not show up under this kind of search.

One neighbor alleged she had moved in in 2021 and Joss was already prone to screaming in the streets, but never harming or threatening anyone. She also alleged his feud with his to be murderer was already in progress. His mental health seemed to deteriorate with the divorce, until he met Tristan (he literally didn’t post most of 2023 pic wise).

Joss and Gonzales stated the harassment and threats had been constant since they met, some time in 2024. Either way it is agreed by de Gonzales, the neighbors, police reports and SAPD that there were between 40-70 calls made between May 2024 and June 2025. Some were from Joss, some were about Joss. While many outlets give this figure, they leave out the fact that only 11 calls were made (from and/or about Joss) from 2024 to his death (I'm unclear if that figure includes the final 4 calls). So while 'upwards of 70 calls' sound like a lot, that includes everything from his 2023 breakdown to the night he died.

One neighbor stated of 12 houses (11 not counting his) 6 hated Joss. Joss seemed to be the last house towards his lot. Alvarez was next door. One across the street was friendly to Joss and one seemed to hate him as much as Alvarez. The cowardly neighbor (who slanders Joss up and down but won't even reveal their name) is sometimes male and sometimes female, probably of the same family. I call them that as they out and out stated after his death "I'm so sad it had to come to this, We all knew it was going to end up like this because of his antics. It's sad cause this could have been prevented if he had gotten the help he needed."

I believe they are either Alvarez's family or the neighbor who filmed the video with the dog skull (below). Of the two male Joss haters, both claim to have children they say Joss made feel unsafe via threats. Which is interesting given how often queer, non white and trans people are portrayed as harming children regardless of truth (its usually white christian affiliated men).

Other neighbors felt pity for him and noted the strike made his dire financial case much worse. If they are to be believed a year before the divorce to when he met Tristan he was in a really bad mental health way. (but they are all anonymous talking to fucking US Magazine so...who knows) Joss did begin to offer Cameos in the last year of his life or so to help earn some money.

The rest of the neighbors stated that Joss never personally threatened them or acted violent towards them. He just liked to scream.

One of the prominent clashes with Alvarez (his future murderer) came in June 2024. Alvarez called cops claiming Joss was walking around with a crossbow and threatening people. Other neighbors say when he did these walks he did not threaten anyone. Alvarez had begun calling so frequently in 2024 that he had a criminal nuisance charge for Joss (that must have been discharged).

Why Alvarez and this neighbor deserve to sentence Joss to death is beyond me. The female one says he was a bad neighbor, always screaming in the streets (and had one video shared to prove it). Neighbors reported they were the main two who fought and had shot holes in various homes outer walls. Reports from before he met Tristan (and before his house burned down) has him living in squalor, with a filthy home and his dogs. He often spoke of not having enough money and some neighbors believe that played into it (along with mental illness and/or addiction). In 2024 shortly before becoming engaged to Tristan, Alvarez stated to cops that Joss had slurred him (which is wild...as Alvarez appears to be Latino and Joss had the last name Gonzales). Cops apparently said Joss seemed surprised and said he didn't bother him at all (I imagine this has been the long time in a making for an excuse to justify murdering Joss).

But again after several articles I find a clue: dogs. Joss claimed Alvarez's dog was fighting with one of his. And he had not been threatening Alvarez, just showing his partner something.

All parties agree (oddly even the police) that the police did nothing. Everyone but the police agree what the police did was useless.

Kern de Gonzales stated, "Jonathan would be trying to report through the proper channels, but a lot of it was just dismissed because it was easier for them to say, ‘Oh, you’re just high. You’re just hearing things.” Which seems to be exactly what the SAPD later would decide about the arson fire.

2025

In late December 2024 Joss and de Gonzales' home was severally vandalized (again police did nothing). Suddenly when a random Texas Blizzard hit soon after, their power was physically cut.

They made it through the blizzard but eventually found the home unlivable until fixed without study heat. They stayed at a hotel, having to leave their 3 dogs behind with a space heater (its not explained why but my guess would be money, which Joss did not have). After the fire he told press he did not have a place to live, which seemed to be true til the ending of his life.

The uninsured house was burned down in a blaze of arson January 23rd, 2025, 'apparently' killing all 3 dogs. Joss blamed himself to the media saying in one interview he and Gonzales were making hot chocolate on a bbq grill and then left for lunch, swearing they'd extinguished it. But he was also sure somehow he was wrong and he had caused the fire. While many horrible people have decided Joss burned down his house on purpose (or as some claim a meth lab) none of that is true or known to be true.

Joss did state in his final interview SAPD said they could not rule out arson. SAPD noted on 6/6/2025 that the arson investigation was still active:

However by August 4th, 2025 the sapd said it was closed and refused to say what they ruled to Rolling Stone, citing the video (which seems like they went the easy route of blaming a dead man). The fire is the first time I can tell Joss publicly came out, stating neighbors had called him a fag. While Long and another neighbor claim they never heard homophobic remarks, both seem to be referencing before Joss met Kern de Gonzales so it'd be odd if he were called homophobic slurs.

Joss felt strongly it didn't matter if he'd accidentally done it or if it was really arson, in his final interview noting a dearest friend was like 'hey dude we know you burned your house down for the insurance money' (it was uninsured at the time). While he made dark jokes about what people thought of him and the death of his dogs, he also mentioned oddly that he and his husband PRESUMED the dogs died in the fire (nothing was salvageable at all from the fire). This gets very interesting with what led to his own murder. A dog skull will be key to this story.

The Advocate revealed there is a police report from January where Joss accused Alvarez of being the arsonist. At the time Joss was told by the officer taking the report that "I have classified this fire to be undetermined in nature at this time but cannot rule out human involvement intentional or unintentional."

Joss hadn't been invited back to the new King of the Hill revival which he took personally. He stated he needed the money, as he had no job. Friends organized a gofundme that was $4k short the day he was murdered. It's since gained almost $21k. To make clear how far he had fallen his most recent newsworthy story (pre fire) I can find was 2016. The fire also destroyed his car, a 1994 model.

When asked by the Advocate de Gonzales stated there were times they felt scared and in danger, but he felt he had not realized just how dangerous Alvarez was.

After the fire, the remains of the house were razed, According to mysa the lot was pending for sale at the time of his murder for $122,000. Importantly their neighbors knew they came to check for mail every so often.

May 25th

May 25th, 2025 SAPD was called to Joss' future murderer's home as shots fired. 10:48pm they arrived to loud music blaring and shots ringing out. Because Texas, they dicked around til 2am before deciding oopsy doodle can't get a hold of the person doing this and called for a helicopter.

An anonymous neighbor in the report said the person had been drinking and shooting 'all night'.

US Weekly tried to pin this as somehow being Joss, but Joss wasn't home. He had been in Los Angeles (one report said he and his husband were looking to move there) and by May 26th he was taking the bus to Austin.

May 30th

Joss stated at the start of May he still hadn't been invited back to King of the Hill, and was also left out of a SXSW panel at the end of May. Joss scheduled his own podcast appearance with a King of the Hill podcast for the next day. He promoted it heavily. While there he announced he had been invited back to record for King of the Hill and had finished 4 episodes.

(video by Xavier Ramirez who claims its the most complete video and feels it shows security guards weren't after Joss)

There's a hole in my pocket where my money should go. My house burned down 3 months ago...why? Because I'm gay.

- Jonathan Joss at ATX, day before he was murdered.

At ATX (the fest he wasn't invited to) he went up to the q&a mic, giving what I would call is his final lament. He told his story, how he was on the edge. Some laughed (some there and online feel it was mocking him, Bwaahhh my nose podcast felt it was nervous laughter). Mike Judge and co acted a little baffled but let him speak. According to the podcaster backstage the cast agreed it was the right decision and felt he was in distress.

One of the comments Joss made is what made Dale so special is he was Johnny. This was a follow up to a comment made by Toby Huss who took over Dale's voice. Joss seemed to be trying to communicate he thought he and Hardwick were good at their characters because they were their characters. While I've yet to find enough to source on Joss' early life he clearly struggled with bad choices, addiction, mental illness, poor business decisions. The final arc in the original series is Joss' John Redcorn becomes a children's entertainer on advice of Dale (who thinks Redcorn is his gay friend, not the man who fathered his son and only recently stopped sleeping with his wife). In doing so Redcorn is able to keep his land which he had mortgaged to bet on himself.

He's shown continually succeeding in this area til his last episode, where Dale's paranoia leads him to realize Joseph and Kate (Bill's girlfriend's teen daughter) have the same father...which is him cuz alien's took his seed when he was in Marfa. When Redcorn learns this he comes to spy on who the girlfriend is...and realizes she was a brief fling from his younger days (or as Nancy puts it 'incidents'). He leaves happy with his new family when the girlfriend falls back in love with him.

In real life Joss had no children, something he mentioned when the fire happened. But one could see some similarities there (Joss even made a Redcorn metal band that occasionally performed Fudge Cak songs, one of which he performed his final night).

Kern de Gonzales told Rolling Stone they had plans to buy a trailer with the residual check they were picking up on the 1st. “I really try hard not to think about how close we got [to leaving]." They had planned to drive around the country while living in the teardrop trailer. King of the Hill has reportedly been renewed for a second new season (season 15). Given what we have of Joss' work it seems likely he would have been part of that as well. Despite the fact it strongly feels like he was shoe horned in to the episodes, strongly making the case that they just ignored him until mid May despite the fact he was one of the biggest advocates for reviving King of the Hill.

May 31st

He acted erratically at the podcast panel, making extremely dark jokes about dying, how people think he killed his dogs and started the fire (so his neighbors must fear him), etc. The host of the podcast seems very shaken by Joss' murder, stating he really liked him, and planned to help him with various projects Joss had mentioned. When asked about why he had stood at the mic the night before Joss stated "The worst thing about not existing in the world is someone ignoring you when they have taken from your culture. Do not make me not exist. Do not say I'm not in your world. This character, John Redcorn, is in the universe of King of the Hill."

The podcast hosts felt he was still angry at not being invited to the panel, but my own opinion is he was just tired of not being heard.

Another statement he made that will surely come back around was when he was asked if he was sober. Joss replied, "I've already lost everything, my house burnt down. I ain't going to give up drugs. I ain't going to give up drinking. They're my friend." He also stated he was drunk that night. (To be fair if marijuana was in that count, this was literally hosted at a weed friendly venue).

The podcasters stated Joss was working on a graphic novel with his husband, had an upcoming comedy show, and seemed to still be trying. Apparently the comedy show would've been June 13th...very sad. The novel will be released next June 1st for pride.

June 1st, day of murder

Sometime in the afternoon he and his husband solicited a ride home from fans. Its a under 1hr and a half drive between Austin and San Antonio. An unnamed fan volunteered. One of the fans he had met the night before said he mentioned going home to pick up a royalty check.

The fan and de Gonazales state they arrived at the house to check mail around 6:30pm. (The fan stated they said it would take 5 minutes). By 7pm Joss would be dead. Joss had last posted around 1:45pm. When they left, we do not know. The driver and de Gonazles agreed they arrived around 6:30pm to check the mailbox, but it may be a bit off according to police reports. First calls of a disturbance came in just short of 6pm. The next call to police was 6:48pm, and 2 calls at 7pm as a shooting in progress. This actually makes a little more sense because for everything to go down in under 30 minutes seems unlikely.

The fan who had given Joss and de Gonzales a ride back said she dropped them off about 6:30 according to the police report. She pulled in Joss' driveway, then saw Ceja Alvarez pull up, argue with Joss, told Joss he'd shoot him, and then did so. This raises some questions with the below information (not that I am saying anyone but Alvarez is lying, trauma is a fucked up thing).

The following information is from his husband as well as more info from other sources.

*Roughly 5:45pm: Dog Skull

(With the police report I think we can safely pin this around 5:45pm) They went to check their mail which they had been doing since the arson. They stayed elsewhere but did not have a permanent home (Tristan said they dreamed of having a trailer in the middle of nowhere).

As they approached the mailbox, nearby (not inside the mailbox), was one of the dog's skulls cleaned up, next to a harness that they knew which dog it was. (The driver and two neighbors also agree he found the skull and began screaming and freaking out). I believe the dog in question may be his emotional support dog Lucy.

In what I believe is the first video filmed by neighbors (below) Joss is holding a pitchfork on his property, with a dog's skull on the pitchfork.

Neighbors who knew Joss and were used to him said they weren't concerned by the screams, as he liked to scream often per another video shared. They just knew that was how he was sometimes.

5:57pm (first 911 call)

I'd guess given the grief that happened that would be the first police call at 5:57pm. I'd then guess (strictly guess) this video below was filmed sometime around 6:30-6:40pm based on the second call.

6:30pm (second call, first vid)

The video is disturbing please be warned.

Both men became hysterical and upset. If it were me I'd be committing violence right then and there but somehow he didn't. Some time passed between the discovery and the shooting.

Joss was cleaning up his land and trying to handle the skull while a neighbor filmed. He was angry about being filmed and asked why they were doing it while he tried to bury his dog's skull. The male neighbor (unidentified, likely across the street) laughs at him. He believes the neighbor is filming to send to police, but Joss is not threatening anyone and is on his own property. I have no information on who actually filmed the video (its running on all sorts of social media with no credit) but actually have wondered if its Alvarez. It has to be someone working with him.

A woman told the local news she had the final video of him alive and shared it, with Joss shouting in the streets carrying his pitchfork. But after further research I'm doubting her. She herself claimed he did this often. If her claim is true finding the dog skull set him off to be screaming and incoherent while claiming he was rehearsing. I no longer think it was from that day. Weirdly KSAT and Advocate cite her as the author of this above video (with dog skull), which she clearly isn't as a man is laughing and its clearly not Joss.

6:45pm

Because for this to end by 6:48pm there isn't a lot of extra time.

The main neighbor that had tormented them, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez had been sitting on his porch with his shotgun on his lap. (Many news sources vary on where he was when he shot but it seems according to several sources he somehow ended up standing by the couple, with the fan driver saying he drove over and parked behind her).

When Alvarez was accused verbally (according to police, Joss was unarmed so the pitchfork was gone by then) Tristan claims he began shouting slurs both anti gay and racist. He then 'calmly' stood up and aimed at Tristan. Joss pushed him out of the way, taking several bullets and dying soon after.

After being asked about the pitchfork video's de Gonzales replied on the 6th to the Advocate (a well known queer mag) de Gonzales that between the discovery of the skull Joss had left (presumably to bury the skull) and when he returned by his side Alvarez pulled up. He said Alvarez used the word 'jotos' a spanish slur for gay men before shooting Joss.

(and again, police said Joss was unarmed as did the neighbor and driver).

Combined with the driver's statement and a neighbors statement we can say for sure Alvarez made his way over where Joss and his husband were standing after finding their dog's skull circa 6:48pm (third call). The driver who had brought them remained in the car (one would assume they needed a ride to where they were staying after getting mail). Alvarez began arguing with Joss and after whatever was argued Alvarez took his rifle (from somewhere) and shot at the pair, killing Joss after a few shots. Joss died near where he had arrived shortly before. The shooting was reported as in progress at 7pmso likely happened a few minutes before that. Neighbor Isabel Caballero ran over hearing the 3 gunshots and found Joss wounded on the ground with injuries to his neck and torso.

There isn't much time for Joss to act terribly erratic (and I want dating proof if that second video is correct, even if it was this still stands) and Alvarez can claim many things but this does not set him up to look innocent of the fire, provoking Joss, or premeditated shooting. All that is debatable is why Alvarez did it, if it was related to Joss' sexuality (I'd personally love to know when Alvarez moved in cuz if it was before 2023 I have trouble believing its not about queerness. Zillow indicates hes been there awhile unless hes a renter.), and what was argued. Only two living people know and one is the murderer. I doubt the driver was able to hear much/retain much (imagine thinking you're driving someone you admire home and then you witness his murder...christ.)

And to be fair and balanced:

In an almost certainly untrue smearing, the worst neighbor, apparently making bank with US weekly (or working for Alvarez's family) claimed Joss shouted "fuck you and fuck your wife" to Alvarez in the car and Alvarez never got out of the car. They try to sound like they are Isabel Caballero and did what she had, but I don't believe them (its a pair in this story, with a child witnessing it). They incorrectly state they were there for a fire compensation check (the house was uninsured) reiterate the amount of alleged 911 calls, and then credit Alvarez as Ceja. A prior version mentioned he was 'waiving the dog skull around' though that has been removed. This makes me think this couple is the couple who filmed the skull video. I have also noticed on various facebook posts by newspapers, there seems to be the same people sharing a photo of Joss with the skull and saying 'this him' as if he were just randomly running around deserving to be shot.

June 2nd

Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez,murdered him. He then took off running like the coward he is. He was caught one block away and confessed to shooting Joss. The murderer was booked and name announced by 7am. Confessed murderer Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez is out on $200,000 bond 2 and a half days after murdering him(and confessing to it). He made bail in under 2 days. Alvarez is under house arrest at 227 Dorsey Street, San Antonio, Texas 78221 which is near where the murder happened. He (at least before he shot Joss as I'd leave his ass) has a wife and a few children.

Cops stated 12 hours after Joss was murdered it wasn't a hate crime. Which is bold because in Texas (where as a fan stated every crime is a hate crime) a hate crime ruling can only be made by the DA as an add-on.

June 5th

San Antonio City Council Member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez called out SAPD on twitter: "SATXPolice claims there is no evidence of a hate crime. Meanwhile homophobic slurs were yelled, years of harassment were reported & ignored, a house was burned down, a dog was killed with its skull left on display. And now a murder."

Shortly after Mckee-Rodriguez's comments, San Antonio Police walked back their not a hate crime statement. They did so while sucking up to the San Antonian queer community, whom previously stated SAPD often ignore lgbtq crimes and persecute particularly indigenous people at a higher rate. I strongly believe SAPD only did this because the story had gone worldwide and they looked bad.

SAPD also stated they dont have the power to charge a hate crime, pointing that its up to the DA who called it too premature so judge. Weirdly enough the DA Joe Gonzales chose that day to announce he won't seek reelection. In particular he cited no resources creating a backlog of criminal complaints which...seems very suss right now.

MySA asked SAPD for a comment and County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales stated: "Our heart goes out to the loved ones of Jonathan Joss, and we are incredibly sorry for their loss. Because the investigation is still pending, we cannot make any determination regarding the nature of the case at this time."

June 7th

By Day 6 Alvarez's lawyer, Alfonso Otero, made this statement:

(Otero appears to be a privately hired lawyer, ie not a court appointed one. As for right to privacy he seems unclear on how the United States works. That's why you can find his information on white pages as 7423 SW 152nd Ave's home number is (305) 408-6235 )

This is interesting as Ceja confessed to shooting him upon being caught by police after his one block car chase. If he's somehow walking that back its unlikely to work. But this combined with police stating the day before they were trying to not release information that would taint the jury pool, point to some kind of collusion to claim the murder was because Joss was violent or high, not queer. Given how useless the SAPD is I question if they even bothered to test Joss' blood before his death (he admitted during his interview with the podcast he was drunk and had addiction issues). Regardless...he did not deserve to die.

The worst neighbor who is too cowardly to share their name out and out stated after his death "I'm so sad it had to come to this, We all knew it was going to end up like this because of his antics. It's sad cause this could have been prevented if he had gotten the help he needed."

Antics...mental health antics...

Various commentators have blamed Joss' addictions and mental illness (as he predicted they would during his interview the night before his murder). Reddit has people claiming to be friends and saying Joss got Tristan addicted to meth and misgendered him all the time. They provide no proof of this. They also cite the age gap as well as mocking Tristan's appearance as a trans man. One went as far as to call out what they allege was de Gonazles pre transition work (legal work) and said they thought they made it big with a rich Hollywood actor...which would be funny given how poor Joss was, if it wasn't also devastating (and let the record show I've seen no proof of any job of de Gonzales before his transition).

Not one of those things matter at all in the end even if true (i strongly believe they aren't, beyond there was an age gap and a lot of people hate trans people). Someone with mental illness can be tormented and murdered all the same as someone without an addiction. Its not always the cause.

The chief of police says they are reviewing 70 calls to and from Joss' residencethat they were too lazy to care about before to deliver a thorough investigation. And the number, never mind when they were made, are constantly changing even in the same publication.

Alvarez's pre-indictment setting date is August 19.

Indigenous Perspectives

The two pieces I've seen by Indigenous authors rage and mourn the murder of Joss. Julie Francella wrote "He was visible. He was Native. He was Two-Spirit. And in America, that is still all it takes to become a target." Kelly Lynne D'Angelo, noted indigenous and two spirit artist, wrote for Harper Baazar,"Jonathan’s death wasn’t an isolated incident—it was a culmination. A continuation. It was what we’ve been screaming about for years, through marches, through tears, through posts no one clicks on. Because no one really wants to see us."

Joss' Indigeneity and role of race in his murder.

While many indigenous people on tumblr cited Joss' work as very important to them, I haven't been able to find a piece on Joss and his work through an indigenous lens. Sadly the few indigenous articles that have come out have had to focus on his death, and how racism against indigenous people factors in.

When I first wrote about Joss' murder (in a daze and rage) I left out the term indigenous (yes I'm white). I thought about it, but truly believed anyone who was likely to care knew his work, which was strongly indigenous, and he himself was very proud of being indigenous. But happily, the story broke into the wider queer community and eventually public consciousness. I was rightly given shit for leaving that word out by indigenous folk. I corrected my post on tumblr (one said it was no good at 10k...but now its 60k so majority of reposts are corrected). I've worked very hard on including his indigenous identity since.

Some quick history for the unaware: turtle island (the americas from north to south) have generally been awful to the indigenous people here before Europeans. It is correctly called a genocide, sadly one that is still ongoing and often ignored (white people worked mighty hard at pretending all 'indians' had long ago died). This isn't ancient history, a white person could buy a lakota child for $q0 as late as 1960s (and of course they were treated horribly).

Indigenous women in Canada and the United States were sterilized not only against their will but without their knowledge through 2000. Missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) is an ongoing horrible theme, with Indigenous women not only going missing (and being murdered) at super high rates, but with cops and those in power often responsible. Those in power rarely bother following through or doing anything to stop these murders.

And while the focus is strongly on mmiw (which is needed, it somehow is talked about but no change ever happens) men also suffer. Canadian police are well known for taking indigenous men on 'starlight' tours. I.e. taking them miles out of town in the dead of winter, then leaving them to die. This was known to happen from 1976 to the 00s (and hopefully cell phones have helped curb it) and next to nothing was done for justice.

Note that both Joss and his murderer have Latino heritage.

Joss' murderer and murderer's friends paint him as a dangerous drunk/drug user. This is a common stereotype of indigenous people, and even when true it ignores the why (the way the governments stole their money/land and kept their families poor and made it hard for them to find a way to live comfortably). Never mind the fact that stereotype could easily apply to white people, especially rural ones.

Making it even grosser, Joss was candid about his addictions. In his final interview he stated he wasn't giving up alcohol or drugs because he had nothing left to lose after years of harassment. When a white person says the same no one tells the media they deserved to die for how they acted. And the media sure as hell wouldn't repeat it as fact.

The other stereotype is that of the overly strong and thus violent and scary. Joss was a good looking and tall man. Those gross people make it out like he had to die because with his addictions and mental illness he was overly prone to being violent at any moment (remember the Trayvon Martin case? Same idea). Never mind the fact other neighbors said while he 'acted out' (screaming in the streets) he was never violent or threatening to others. His husband reiterated this and said Joss was kind as could be, but if you wronged him he would fight for what was right.

Even his murderer could as far as is currently known, pin him as actually violent. He claimed Joss threatened him last June (Joss claimed it had never happened, but had had words with Alvarez over his dog fighting with Joss'). But he never stated Joss was actually violent.

Seems that's going to be his defense strategy based on his asshole lawyer.

June 8th

Other friends of Joss' spoke (it was open mic) and urged people not to believe internet rumors. The person who opened the prayer said to SAPD "We are not alone and we are sacred."

June 9th

San Antonio just elected a queer mayor. Hopefully this puts some fear in the SAPD.

June 21st

Two great articles by Indigenous authors have been posted. Jonathan Joss Deserved More Than a Voice Credit and We All Need to Be Talking About the Murder of Jonathan Joss This Pride and Beyond

June 25th

Siiigh. I'm not even involved (beyond mourning as a queer person and a fan of his work) and I'm soooo tired. Today via his cowardly lawyer, confessed murderer Sigifredo Ceja Álvarez (first publishing I'm seeing with the accent) claims self defense. He says he didn't care Joss was gay but he Alvarez was being tormented(!!) and had a right to defend himself.

This is fucking bold as stated before because Joss had lost a right to own guns back in 2023. Joss was seen with a pitchfork trying to bury his dog's skull after arriving on June 1st. Yet nobody, including the police, stated Joss had the pitchfork on him during the confrontation and his murder. Joss was unarmed as was de Gonzales.

It is so beyond clear to me (a child of unsolved mysteries and dateline when it was good) Alvarez premeditated the murder. Joss had been gone since before May 25th. He was not living in the wreckage of his home. He stopped by for his checks which likely came around the first of the month. After living near him for years Ceja Alvarez would know this. They also knew Joss was returning from his appearance in Austin that evening.

Either Ceja Alvarez or the worst neighbor placed that skull (how was it obtained id fucking love to know) near the mailbox. They claim Joss was a violent over strong super indian. They clearly expected this to set him off (it'd set anyone off). The feud seemed to involve their dogs fighting. Alvarez has claimed extremely stupid provable things before like Joss slurring him for being latino...Joss' last name was Gonzales. His dad was well known for his mexican restaurant he owned for years.

I suspect when it gets to court cuz he's such a trump level liar, this will be very easily proven false. He'll have his fam and the worst neighbor back him up. But everyone was filming (including the worst neighbor who specifically was waiting for Joss to act out according to Joss) that day. I'll eat my hat if no one filmed some part leading up to the murder beyond the pitchfork.

There are also 3 witnesses (one a neighbor) saying Joss was unarmed. Alvarez thinks he can chose who lives and dies. Thankfully he's in Texas where the state can do that to him once convicted.

August 4th, 2025

King of the Hill season 14 debuts. They seemed to have reordered the episodes so it would end with Joss (originally the Kahn ep would've been the last). Joss stated the day before he died he felt he was a lot like his character John Redcorn, and like Redcorn he couldn't catch a break. The original series ended with Redcorn as a popular children's entertainer who discovers he has a daughter as well as Joseph Gribble, and he moves in with her and her mother.

Season 14 (mild spoilers) has Joss as a realtor teamed with old lover Nancy Gribble (Nancy says it was Dale's idea), they may or may not have reignited their affair. Redcorn agrees to take a horse from Bobby Hill if Joseph (who adores the horse) will come visit and ride with him.

Redcorn also wants to start a business for a snack called Redcorn's Redcorn (irl Joss had made king of the grill spices before the pandemic) but his land is overrun with feral hogs. At the end of the final episode we see the Hills investing in his redcorn business after taking care of the hog problem.

The last image of season 14 is a memorial card for Joss. Yet places like People.com keep referring to him as 'died' or 'killed' as of he wasn't straight up murdered (which the murderer admitted to). Cruel comments, mostly by straight white men, keep being posted on King of the Hill fan sites and articles about Joss. Thankfully most fans are decent and keeping him in mind.

Alvarez's next hearing (really the first since he was arrested) is at the end of the month.

August 7th, 2025

Many outlets have written either about Joss' murder and/or the tributes to Joss and other late actors in the new season of King of the Hill. Rolling Stone did an in depth write up of his troubles and life. US Weekly continuing to be assholes called his murder an 'altercation'. Screenrant wrote up if John Redcorn will be recast again (Joss was a recast after the first actor died) or written off. I personally say write John Redcorn off in a very happy way. Like he's succeeding and busy with his redcorn business and Joseph is helping via zoom.

August 10th, 2025

Apparently SIGFREDO CEJA ALVAREZ born 9/10/1968 is now on partial house arrest so he can work! And he only needs to use a gps monitor. Murder is clearly legal in Texas.

If you're an employer do better. And if I find one who employs him I will put them on blast.

November 29th, 2025

A grand jury has indicted Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez on one count of murder. This means the case will likely go to trial in 2026. Alvarez is still walking free with minimal restrictions. His case has been assigned to the 437th District Court with Judge Joel Perez presiding (if the count was first or second has not been clarified).

On Updates

I do not want his story forgotten. And I want his husband safe. The media, while missing almost every point, hasn't realized Tristan is trans based on his facebook profile. While I'd usually not publicize it he's left it public and I feel its very important for the queer community to know the layers here.

I will try to update as I can here and on tumblr (only my huge post seems to get any looks so its getting looong). These are some charities you can donate to as well in his name for indigenous/trans/queer people.

My current format is I will update the day of information as it goes. I may update prior parts of the story when new sourcable information is known. And since this whole thing is made by two cats in a fat lady costume, I know I have some bad proof reading issues. I will be correcting those as I go on.

An indigenous man died protecting his trans husband after a year of harassment and police inaction.