Jonathan Joss‘ husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, has broken his silence on what led to the entertainer’s tragic passing.

Following news of the beloved voice actor’s death, his lover took to his Facebook page to honor his death and share his first-hand account of what he claims was a hate crime.

Jonathan Joss took his final breath on Sunday, June 1, after a former neighbor reportedly brutally gunned him down. While authorities claim the actor died during a heated dispute, his husband begged to differ.

Joss’ lover penned a lengthy statement about what transpired between his late partner and their former neighbor. The couple had returned to the site of their old home, which was tragically destroyed in a house fire in January 2025.

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However, Gonzales claimed the incident happened two years after they endured arson threats from neighbors. According to Gonzales, he and Joss were not welcomed in the South Side area of Texas because of their same-sex relationship.

Despite repeatedly reporting the persistent threats and harassment of their homophobic neighbors to authorities, nothing was done to prevent the escalation of bad blood until it was too late.

When Gonzales and Joss returned to their former home to check their mail, they discovered the skull of one of their dogs with its harness placed in plain view.

The gruesome display left them in “severe emotional distress,” and they yelled and cried in pain. Unfortunately, their tears only fueled their former neighbor’s anger.

Gonzales noted they were approached by a man who “started yelling violent homophobic slurs” as they tried to process the shocking loss of their dog. He stressed that he and Joss did not provoke this man, nor did they threaten anyone.

They had no weapons and were only grieving, but that was enough to set their former neighbor into a murderous rage. “When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life,” Gonzales recalled.

He stressed that he and Joss were newlyweds with a bright future, only for their dreams to be brutally cut short.

“He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family,” Gonzales added.

Gonzales’ message ended with his vow to continue Joss’ legacy, earning an outpouring of support from his late husband’s fans. Many recalled their fond memories with the actor, while others penned their condolences to his grieving partner.

“Oh, Tristen! I’m so very sorry!! I am just in shock. Jonathan was the sweetest man who would do anything for a stranger. He was an angel on Earth. You brought so much love and joy into his life at the moment he needed it most,” a Facebook user wrote.

Another echoed similar sentiments, noting they did not know Joss well but considered him their online friend thanks to his vibrant personality.

“Omg, Tristan, my condolences go out to you. He was a dear friend to me. We grew up together since elementary school. He will truly be missed. People can be so cruel. Keeping you in my prayers,” a third added.

While Gonzales claimed Joss died from a homophobic attack, the San Antonio Police Department and eyewitnesses shared a different narrative. They claimed the late actor died after getting into a heated argument with a neighbor who repeatedly shot him in retaliation.

The man, initially unidentified, escaped in a vehicle but was taken into custody by responding officers a block away from the crime scene. TMZ reported that paramedics rushed to Joss’s side to provide medical assistance; however, they were unable to save him.

Authorities later confirmed the shooter had been identified as a man named Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja. He was slammed with a murder charge and given a $200K bond. Joss was 59 when he died, taking his final breath six months before his 60th birthday on December 22.

Joss was born in San Antonio in 1965, growing up to attend Gillette Elementary School, Harlandale ISD’s McCollum High School, and Our Lady of Our Lake University. He pursued a career in the entertainment industry, with his acting credits dating back to the early 1990s.

Some of his most famous projects include his time as a voice actor for the animated series “King of the Hill.” He also starred as Kicking Wolf in “Comanche Moon” and as Ken Hotate on NBC’s “Parks & Recreation.”

Outside entertainment, Joss created a line of barbecue rubs and spices under the brand “King of the Grill.” On and off the screen, Joss lived a good life and earned the fruits of his impeccable character early this year.

After losing his South Side home and two dogs in a fire, fans reportedly raised over $10,000 through a GoFundMe campaign to help him secure a new house, per MYSA.

Hopefully, Jonathan Joss’ shooter will get the justice he deserves, so the late actor and his husband can be at peace.