Anthony Milan Ross killed his ex-wife, Iris, and their two children in 2017
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NEED TO KNOW
- An Arizona chef was sentenced to death after murdering his ex-wife and two children on Christmas Day 2017
- Anthony Milan Ross was previously convicted of the murders of Iris Ross and their two children, Nigel and Anora, in November
- The day before the murders, Ross and his son recorded a video singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” together
An Arizona chef was sentenced death months after he was convicted of the 2017 murders of his ex-wife and two children.
Anthony Milan Ross fatally shot Iris Ross in Phoenix, Ariz., before entering his apartment and killing his 8-month-old daughter, Anora, and his 11-year-old son, Nigel, on Dec. 25, 2017, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office said.
Prior to the shooting, authorities said, Iris had gone to Ross' apartment to pick up the children and celebrate Christmas.
While there, she told Ross she would not take him back, according to prosecutors. He then shot her as she tried to run away before standing over her and firing more shots.
Credit: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
Nigel, whom Ross shot last, put his hand up in an attempt to defend himself, according to the county attorney's office.
After threatening two witnesses, Ross then engaged in an hours-long standoff with police, which ended with him exchanging shots with officers.
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The day before the murders, PEOPLE previously reported, Ross and Nigel recorded a video of them singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and posted it on Instagram.
“I’m smiling and hanging out with Nigel on Christmas Eve and we are about to embarrass ourselves,” Ross said in the video.
In November 2025, Ross was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and several counts of aggravated assault. He was sentenced to death on Thursday, May 7.
“This defendant was supposed to protect his family; instead, he made a deliberate choice to take their lives on Christmas Day when his wife wouldn’t take him back,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement.. “Today's sentence reflects the gravity of what he did, and he deserves the ultimate punishment."
"There is justice for Iris, Nigel, and Anora," Mitchell continued.
Ross worked as a vegan chef, motivational speaker and entrepreneur prior to the killings.
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