Arizona Chef Found Guilty of Murdering Wife and Two Children on Christmas Day 2017
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An Arizona celebrity chef, Anthony Milan Ross, has been convicted of the brutal murders of his estranged wife and their two young children on Christmas Day in 2017. The 53-year-old chef was found guilty by a Maricopa County jury of three counts of first-degree murder for fatally shooting his ex-wife, Iris Ross, 38, and their kids, Nigel, 11, and Anora, just 10 months old.
Aside from the murder charges, Ross was also convicted of three counts of aggravated assault related to the killings and a staggering 17 counts of aggravated assault on peace officers. The incident unfolded into a harrowing standoff with the Phoenix Police Department, during which Ross reportedly fired at officers before they retaliated.
The tragedy occurred mere hours after Ross had posted a seemingly harmless and festive video on Instagram with his son Nigel, spreading Christmas cheer with a rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. This stark contrast between the joyful video and the horrific events that followed on Christmas Day shocked the community and left many questioning the true nature of the man behind the camera.
During the trial, prosecutors painted a picture of Ross as a man struggling with his fading celebrity status and financial strain following his wife’s filing for divorce. The prosecution highlighted premeditation in Ross’s actions, citing his online searches for weapons and instances where he had hinted at something significant happening on Christmas.
On the defence side, it was argued that Ross’s actions were influenced by his deteriorating mental health and personal struggles, including insomnia and depression. Claims were made of Ross proposing to his girlfriend and adopting a dog in the days leading up to the tragic event, suggesting a conflicted and unstable state of mind.
Family members of the victims, including Iris’s sister, Mary Wogas, shared chilling accounts of Ross’s behaviour leading up to the murder, painting a disturbing picture of a man consumed by darkness and erratic behaviours. Wogas recalled instances of Ross alternately expressing love and hostility towards Iris, even going as far as claiming involvement with dark arts practices.
The community was left reeling with shock and disbelief following the revelation of such a heinous crime committed on a day traditionally associated with joy and celebration. The tragic loss of three innocent lives at the hands of someone they once trusted serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the darkness that can lurk within even the most seemingly ordinary individuals.
Despite attempts to rationalise or explain his actions, the verdict stands as a stark condemnation of Anthony Milan Ross’s unforgivable acts of violence. As the details of this chilling case continue to unfold, the memory of the lives lost on that fateful Christmas Day in 2017 remains a sombre reminder of the devastating impact of senseless violence within families.