Arizona cookbook author found guilty of killing kids, ex-wife on Christmas Day 2017

PHOENIX — A Maricopa County jury has convicted a Valley cookbook author of murdering his two children and ex-wife on Christmas Day in 2017.

Anthony Milan Ross, 53, was recently found guilty on all criminal counts following the end of his murder trial in Arizona, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

The jury convicted Ross of first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 9, 2026.

Iris Ross and her two children, baby Anora and 11-year-old Nigel, were shot to death on Christmas. The mother had reportedly gone to the defendant’s home near 16th Street and Highland Avenue that day to pick up her kids.

An Instagram account shows Ross posted a video with his son hours before the shootings, wishing people a Merry Christmas.

The defendant was arrested after an hours-long barricade situation with police.

Ross was a vegan author who openly spoke about his weight loss journey. About a month before the murders, Ross appeared on 12News to share how losing 300 pounds had changed his life and improved his relationship with his family.

*Editor’s Note: The above video is from an earlier broadcast.*

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