A well-known chef has been convicted of the shocking murders of his wife and two young kids on Christmas Day, nearly eight years after he posted a charming caroling video with his son the night before the tragic events.
Anthony Milan Ross, 53, was found guilty on Monday by a jury in Maricopa County on three counts of first-degree murder for killing his estranged wife, Iris, as well as their 11-year-old son, Nigel, and 10-month-old daughter, Anora.
According to reports, Ross, a local television chef and cookbook author known for his vegan recipes, carried out the murders within their apartment on December 25, 2017. This occurred when Iris, who had initiated divorce proceedings six months prior, arrived to pick up their children.
Witnesses told investigators they saw Ross shoot Iris outside before he fled back into the apartment.
When police arrived at around 4 PM, they found Iris’s body in the garden of the building. Ross had then barricaded himself inside with his children.
Following a prolonged standoff that lasted seven hours, authorities stormed Ross’s apartment and discovered one of the children had been shot and killed.
As they searched the premises, Ross emerged and began firing at the officers, injuring one before he was ultimately apprehended after a brief exchange of gunfire. Upon his arrest, investigators learned that his other child had also been shot.
It’s striking to think that just the day before, Ross appeared to be a joyful father, laughing and singing Christmas carols with Nigel, which now feels ironically chilling.
In a video posted on social media, he expressed his enthusiasm and joked about their singing together, closing it with a cheerful “Merry Christmas!”
During the terrifying ordeal on Christmas Day, Ross even sent a text to Iris’s sister, declaring, “I just killed Iris and the kids.”
His estranged wife’s sister later described him as someone she recognized as unstable, saying she knew he had a very dark side, but never imagined it was this severe.
Additionally, Iris’s roommate revealed that Ross had exhibited erratic behavior prior to the murders, including showing up with a weapon to pick up the children.
Now, facing life imprisonment or even the death penalty, Ross’s sentencing is set for January 9, 2026.
Before these tragic events, he often promoted a lifestyle transformation, claiming he had lost over 200 pounds through a vegan diet. His achievements were detailed in his book, “The Change: Transforming You and Your Body into Who You Want to Be.”
He appeared in a 2016 vegan documentary and took part in local events, frequently sharing the stage with various celebrities.
