In a case that has shocked the public, a former celebrity chef was convicted of brutally murdering his estranged wife and two young children on Christmas Day.
This tragic event occurred after Anthony Milan Ross, 53, posted a seemingly joyous caroling video with his son just hours before carrying out the horrific crime, per the New York Post.
Chef Anthony Ross Found Guilty of Three Murders
On Monday, a Maricopa County jury found Ross guilty on three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of his wife, Iris, and their two children: 11-year-old Nigel and 10-month-old Anora.
According to AZ Family, the killings took place on December 25, 2017, in Ross's apartment when Iris arrived to pick up the children after filing for divorce six months earlier.
Witnesses reported seeing Ross shoot his wife outside of his apartment before retreating back inside, barricading himself in with the two children. The police were called to the scene at approximately 4:00PM. When law enforcement arrived, they found Iris's lifeless body on the patio.
A Seven-Hour Standoff Ends in Tragedy
A tense seven-hour standoff between Ross and law enforcement ensued. When authorities finally stormed the apartment, they discovered the body of one of the children, who had been shot dead.
As officers cleared the apartment, Ross emerged and opened fire, injuring one officer in the process. He eventually surrendered after a brief exchange of gunfire.
Following his arrest, investigators discovered that the second child had also been killed. Ross's actions that day would leave a lasting impact on those who knew him and those who followed his once-prominent career.
A Christmas Eve Video That Now Haunts
The public was left in disbelief when they learned of a video Ross had posted just hours before the killings.
On Christmas Eve, Ross appeared cheerful and carefree while singing Christmas carols with his son, Nigel.
In the video, the two can be seen laughing and performing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” together. At the end of the video, Ross smiles and says, “Merry Christmas!”
“I’m smiling and hanging out with Nigel on Christmas Eve, and we’re about to embarrass ourselves,” Ross says in the video. “We’re gonna sing!” The seemingly joyful moment was in stark contrast to the violence that would unfold the next day.
A Dark Side Exposed
In the aftermath of the killings, Ross’s estranged wife’s sister, Mary Wogas, revealed chilling details to investigators. She told authorities that she had received a text from Ross during his rampage, in which he confessed to killing Iris and the children.
"I knew that man was very unstable. I knew he had a very, very dark side. I didn’t know it was this dark," Wogas said. She also acknowledged that Ross had struggled with depression.
Iris’s roommate, Lushanya Echeverria, also came forward to share disturbing insights into Ross's behavior. She told the Arizona Republic that Ross had been harassing her in the weeks leading up to the murders, even showing up to pick up the children while armed with a gun.
Convictions and Sentencing
In addition to the three counts of first-degree murder, Ross was found guilty of three counts of aggravated assault and 17 counts of assaulting a peace officer.
The convicted chef is scheduled to be sentenced on January 9, 2026. He faces the possibility of life in prison or death by lethal injection or the gas chamber.
A Former Vegan Icon with a Dark Past
Before the murders, Ross was known as a local TV personality, cookbook author, and a prominent figure in the vegan lifestyle community.
He frequently appeared on local news programs and participated in events like the Scottsdale Food Festival. Ross was also featured in the 2016 documentary Eating You Alive, alongside well-known figures such as Samuel L. Jackson and James Cameron.
In addition to his TV appearances, Ross wrote a book titled The Change: Transforming Yourself and Your Body Into the Person You Want to Be, in which he promoted his success in losing over 200 pounds through a vegan diet and active lifestyle.
Despite his public persona as a health-conscious chef, Ross’s actions have left a dark stain on his legacy.