Arizona Celebrity Chef Convicted of Killing Estranged Wife and Two Children on Christmas Day
PHOENIX, ARIZONA — A former celebrity chef once celebrated for his vegan lifestyle and cookbook success has been convicted of murdering his estranged wife and two children on Christmas Day in 2017, an attack prosecutors described as both “cruel” and “premeditated.”
Anthony Milan Ross, 53, was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and 20 additional charges, including aggravated assault and assault on peace officers, after a jury verdict Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court.
The victims — his estranged wife, 38-year-old Iris Ross, and their children, 11-year-old Nigel and 9-month-old Anora — were killed after what prosecutors said was a violent outburst triggered by Iris’s decision to end their marriage.
Christmas Day Turns to Tragedy
According to court testimony, Iris Ross had filed for divorce six months before the killings. On December 25, 2017, she went to Anthony’s Phoenix apartment to pick up her children as part of a scheduled visit.
Earlier that same day, the once-famous chef — known for his motivational weight-loss journey and vegan cookbooks — had posted a cheerful holiday video on social media. The clip showed him and his son Nigel singing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and wishing followers a Merry Christmas.
Just hours later, witnesses reported seeing Ross shoot his wife outside the apartment complex, then drag her body before running inside and barricading himself with the children.
Deadly Standoff and Police Confrontation
When officers arrived, Ross refused to surrender, triggering a tense hours-long standoff. Inside the apartment, police later found both children dead from gunshot wounds.
During the confrontation, Ross opened fire on responding officers, injuring one before being subdued and arrested.
Phoenix police described the scene as “one of the most disturbing and senseless tragedies” they had ever encountered.
“This was a brutal act carried out on the most joyous day of the year,” a spokesperson said following the verdict. “It destroyed an entire family.”
Prosecutors Cite Control and Revenge
According to KPNX, Iris had reportedly told friends she was afraid of her estranged husband, saying he had become increasingly volatile after she filed for divorce.
Prosecutors argued Ross killed Iris in a fit of rage and control, unable to accept the end of their marriage. They said he deliberately executed his family before turning the gun on police.
The defense did not dispute that Ross fired the shots but claimed he was “emotionally unstable” and “not in his right mind” at the time — an argument the jury firmly rejected.
Once a Motivational Figure, Now a Convicted Killer
Before the murders, Anthony Milan Ross had gained national attention for losing over 120 pounds, publishing vegan cookbooks, and speaking at lifestyle events about “healing through food.”
He often appeared on talk shows and in wellness magazines, branding himself as an example of transformation and positivity.
But prosecutors said behind the scenes, Ross was controlling, manipulative, and obsessed with maintaining power over his family — a façade that shattered on Christmas Day.
Ross was convicted on all counts after a trial that began in September 2025. His sentencing is set for January 9, 2026, where he faces multiple life terms in prison without the possibility of parole.
The conviction brings closure to a case that stunned both Arizona’s culinary community and the public nationwide. What began as a story of self-improvement and fame ended in unimaginable tragedy — leaving behind a chilling reminder of how quickly control and jealousy can turn to horror.
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