Husband of Jonathan Joss Claims Actor Was Victim of Hate Crime at 59

Jonathan Joss’s husband Tristan Kern de Gonzales stated that the actor’s death was caused by a hate crime.

UPDATE — 6/2/25 at 4:47 p.m. ET:

“My husband Jonathan Joss and I were caught in a shooting while retrieving the mail at our former residence. That residence had been set ablaze after enduring more than two years of threats from locals who frequently warned us they would ignite it,” stated a message shared via Joss’ Facebook on June 2. “We reported these threats to law enforcement several times, but no action was taken.”

Kern de Gonzales claimed that they endured “openly homophobic” harassment. While at the site, he asserted they discovered “the skull” of one of their dogs along with its harness, leading to “severe emotional distress.”

“We began screaming and crying in reaction to the pain of what we witnessed,” the statement continued. “During this, a man approached us and started shouting violent homophobic slurs.”

Kern de Gonzales alleged that the unnamed man brandished a gun and fired it while he and Joss remained unarmed.

“Jonathan and I had no weapons. We posed no threat to anyone. We were in mourning, standing side by side,” the post stated. “When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me aside. He saved my life.”

Kern de Gonzales shared that he was at Joss’ side during his last moments, expressing that he “told him how much he was loved.”

“To all who supported him, his fans, and his friends, know that he cherished you deeply. He considered you family,” the message stated. “My focus now is to uphold Jonathan’s legacy and honor the life we created together. If your concern revolves around how someone coped with trauma or how vocally they express their injustices and neglect from authorities, then you never truly cared about my husband. Jonathan saved my life, and I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built.”

Original story below:

Parks and Recreation alum Jonathan Joss has passed away at the age of 59 after being shot.

Authorities confirmed that Joss was killed on Sunday, June 1, following an alleged confrontation with a neighbor in San Antonio, Texas, according to multiple reports. Officers responded to a shooting where they found Joss lying “near the roadway.”

There were “life-saving measures” attempted while awaiting EMS, but Joss was pronounced dead at the scene upon paramedics’ arrival. Officers apprehended the suspect, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, who had fled the scene in a vehicle. Ceja has been charged with murder, and the investigation is ongoing, per TMZ.

Joss is best recognized for voicing John Redcorn in King of the Hill, a role he assumed in the second season after the original actor, Victor Arron, died in a car accident in 1996. Joss continued in the role until the series concluded in 2009 and was expected to reprise it in the newly announced revival, set to debut on Hulu this August.

Recording had already begun for the series before it was recently announced at the ATX TV Festival, which included Pamela Adlon, Lauren Tom, Toby Huss, and one of the show’s new writers, Saladin K. Patterson.

Hours before his passing, Joss shared an Instagram video hinting that the “reboot is up and moving” while walking around Texas. He also appeared in several notable shows, including Parks and Recreation, Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, The Magnificent Seven, and more.

Joss’ death is not the only tragedy experienced by the Parks and Recreation cast. The show’s executive producer Harris Wittels — who also had a role on the show — died by suicide in 2015 at age 30.

Star Amy Poehler delivered a heartfelt speech in Wittels’ memory shortly thereafter.

“Today, I lost a friend,” she remarked during a Unite4Humanity event in February 2015. “I lost a beloved, young man in my life who struggled with addiction and passed away just a few hours before we arrived. Jane [Aronson] and I discussed it, and I’m sharing this because life and death are intricately linked, and we navigate that delicate boundary daily. Ultimately, when facing difficulties in life, we turn to our loved ones, family, and community for support, hoping they will help alleviate our pain.”

Fellow Parks and Rec alum Aubrey Plaza also mourned a loss when her husband Jeff Baena died by suicide in January at the age of 47.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy,” a representative stated on behalf of Plaza, 40, and her family. “We are truly thankful for everyone who has shown their support. Please respect our privacy during this time.”