Actor's Alleged Killer Appears in Court

Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez appeared in court in February 2026 for a pre-trial hearing related to the June 2025 death of actor Jonathan Joss. Joss, known for his role in Parks and Recreation, died at age 59 following an alleged altercation with Alvarez in San Antonio. Alvarez was indicted in November 2025 on a murder charge, having been initially arrested in June 2025 and released on a $200,000 bond.

Joss' husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, has asserted that the incident was a hate crime, alleging that he and Joss experienced homophobic harassment prior to the fatal event. Initially, the San Antonio Police Department issued a statement finding no evidence of a hate crime, a statement the police chief later described as premature and regrettable.

The court appearance in February 2026 saw Alvarez before Judge Joel Perez, with the prosecution indicating no changes to Alvarez's bond conditions. A new court date has been scheduled for Alvarez's ongoing legal proceedings. In Texas, hate crimes are not separate offenses but are considered during sentencing as enhancements.

Joss' husband detailed that the incident occurred when he and Joss returned to their former property, which had been burned down after persistent threats. He reported finding a dog's remains, which led to an emotional response when a man, later identified as Alvarez, approached them and directed homophobic slurs before the fatal shooting, during which Joss reportedly pushed his husband out of the way.