A Tragic Crime Unveiled
Anthony Milan Ross, a celebrity vegan chef, has been found guilty of the brutal murder of his wife and two children on Christmas Day in 2017. Nearly eight years after the shocking crime, Ross, now 53, was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, along with multiple other charges, including 20 counts of assault, 17 of which were against police officers. The trial, which began in September, concluded with a verdict that has sent shockwaves through the community.
On the day of the incident, Ross shot his wife, Iris, 38, outside their apartment in Phoenix, Arizona. He then locked himself inside the home and engaged in a six-hour standoff with police. When officers finally entered the residence, they discovered the bodies of his 11-year-old son, Nigel, and his 9-month-old daughter, Anora.
Prosecutors revealed that Ross’s violent actions were triggered by his wife’s decision to file for divorce six months prior. They also disclosed that he had made disturbing internet searches related to guns, acids, silencers, and cases of families murdered on Christmas Day. Maricopa County prosecutor Richard Dusterhoft stated that Ross had warned people to “expect something big on Christmas.”
Ross, who once appeared in documentaries alongside celebrities like James Cameron and Samuel L. Jackson, gained fame for his vegan lifestyle after losing a significant amount of weight. He gave motivational talks about plant-based living and healthy eating. However, behind the scenes, prosecutors claimed his life was falling apart. “His five minutes of fame were over,” Dusterhoft said. “The money and the success were all a façade, and so was the perfect family.”
On the morning of the killings, Ross posted a cheerful video of himself and his son singing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Hours later, when Iris arrived to pick up the children, witnesses reported that Ross shot her outside their apartment complex. When asked if she was okay, he replied, “No,” before pointing a gun at bystanders and running inside, where more gunshots were heard.
Police surrounded the building and attempted to negotiate with Ross, who initially claimed the children were alive but later admitted to killing them. When officers broke in around 7:30 p.m., they found Iris dead outside and both children dead inside the apartment. A police officer was hit by shrapnel during the operation but survived. Ross was arrested that night.
During the trial, his defense lawyer, Carrie Gallagher, described the killings as a “tragedy,” arguing that Ross was mentally unstable and not capable of premeditation. She claimed his insomnia and depression led him to make disturbing online searches. Prosecutors, however, disagreed, stating that the evidence proved Ross planned the murders.
Ross now faces the possibility of the death penalty. His sentencing is scheduled for January 9, 2026.