An Arizona jury has sentenced former vegan chef and motivational speaker Anthony Milan Ross to death for the 2017 killings of his estranged wife and two children, concluding a case that drew national attention because of Ross’s public image and the timing of the crimes.
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office confirmed the sentence on May 7, 2026, after jurors unanimously agreed Ross should receive the death penalty. Ross, now 54, was previously convicted of three counts of first-degree murder along with several aggravated assault charges tied to a police standoff that followed the shootings.
The killings occurred on Christmas Day in 2017 and involved Ross’s estranged wife, Iris Ross, and the couple’s two children, 11-year-old Nigel and 8-month-old Anora.
Murders
According to prosecutors, the violence began when Iris Ross arrived at Anthony Ross’s apartment on December 25, 2017, to pick up the children.
Court records showed the couple had been separated, and prosecutors argued tensions had escalated after Iris filed for divorce months earlier.
Authorities said an argument broke out in the apartment parking lot after Iris told Ross she did not want to reconcile. Prosecutors stated Ross then shot her multiple times as she attempted to flee.
Investigators alleged Ross later returned to the apartment and fatally shot both children.
The case shocked the local community because of the age of the victims and the fact the killings happened during the Christmas holiday.
Messages
After the shootings, Iris Ross’s sister reportedly received a text message from Ross stating that he had killed his estranged wife and children.
She later told investigators she believed Ross had displayed increasingly unstable behavior before the murders.
“I knew that man was very unstable. I knew he had a very, very dark side,” she said in statements later referenced during court proceedings.
Authorities said the messages became part of the evidence presented during the trial.
Standoff
When police arrived at the apartment complex, prosecutors said Ross barricaded himself inside and threatened to kill the children if officers entered.
According to law enforcement officials, the standoff lasted several hours.
Investigators stated Ross repeatedly fired at police officers from inside the apartment before eventually running out of ammunition.
Authorities later entered the residence and took him into custody.
Ross was also convicted on aggravated assault charges connected to gunfire directed at officers during the standoff.
| Case Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Anthony Milan Ross |
| Sentence | Death penalty |
| Victims | Iris Ross, Nigel Ross, Anora Ross |
| Year of Crimes | 2017 |
| Additional Sentence | 18 years imprisonment |
| Location | Maricopa County, Arizona |
Prosecutors
During the trial, prosecutors argued the killings were planned and motivated by Ross’s deteriorating personal and financial situation.
Maricopa County prosecutor Richard Dusterhoft told jurors Ross had become dependent on Iris Ross financially while attempting to maintain a public image as a successful chef and motivational speaker.
“He thought about it before he did it. He meant to do it, and then he did it,” Dusterhoft said during closing arguments.
Prosecutors also presented evidence showing Ross allegedly researched violent subjects online before the murders. According to court testimony, searches included firearms, corrosive chemicals, and news stories involving family killings committed on Christmas Day.
The prosecution argued those searches demonstrated premeditation.
Defense
Ross’s defense team disputed claims that the murders were planned in advance.
Defense attorney Carrie Gallagher argued Ross had been suffering from severe depression, insomnia, and emotional instability in the months leading up to the killings.
She told jurors that Ross had been drinking heavily on Christmas Day and was in a deteriorating mental state.
Gallagher also argued that some of Ross’s actions before the shootings suggested he had future plans inconsistent with premeditated murder.
According to the defense, Ross had recently proposed to his girlfriend and adopted a dog shortly before the crimes occurred.
The defense maintained those actions indicated he was not preparing to end his life or commit violence against his family.
Public Persona
The case drew additional public attention because Ross had built a following online as a vegan chef and motivational speaker before the murders.
He had appeared in the 2016 documentary Eating You Alive and promoted himself publicly through social media and speaking appearances.
Hours before the killings, Ross posted an Instagram video featuring himself and his son Nigel singing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” on Christmas Eve.
In the video, Ross laughed while introducing the song and joking about embarrassing themselves by singing together.
The footage was later shown during the trial and became one of the most widely discussed aspects of the case because of the contrast between the family moment and the violence that followed the next day.
Broader Issues
The murders prompted broader conversations about domestic violence, mental health, and warning signs within deteriorating relationships.
Family members later described Ross as emotionally unpredictable in the period leading up to the killings.
Iris Ross’s sister told media outlets that Ross would alternate between expressing anger and attempting reconciliation.
The case also highlighted how public personas can differ significantly from private behavior, particularly when individuals cultivate successful or inspirational online identities.
Although Ross has now been sentenced to death, the legal process is expected to continue for years through mandatory appeals that accompany capital punishment cases in Arizona.
For the victims’ relatives, however, the sentencing marked the conclusion of a long and painful criminal trial centered on a tragedy that unfolded during a holiday meant for family celebration.
FAQs
Who is Anthony Milan Ross?
He is a former vegan chef convicted of murder.
What sentence did Ross receive?
An Arizona jury sentenced him to death.
Who were the victims in the case?
His estranged wife and two children were killed.
When did the murders happen?
The killings occurred on Christmas Day 2017.
What was Ross known for publicly?
He was a vegan chef and motivational speaker.
