09 May 2026 :
May 6, 2026 - Arizona. Anthony Milan Ross sentenced to death
For killing ex-wife, kids on Christmas in 2017
A Maricopa County jury found Anthony Milan Ross guilty in November of three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his estranged wife, 38-year-old Iris Ross, and their two children, 10-month-old Anora Ross and 11-year-old Nigel Ross. Ross was also given 18 years in prison for 20 counts of aggravated assault.
Today, May 6, a jury has handed down a death sentence for the man convicted of murdering his ex-wife and 2 children on Christmas in 2017.
The jury was unanimous in its decision for the death penalty on the 3 counts of 1st-degree murder.
A jury found him guilty last November with several aggravating factors for killing his estranged wife and 2 children on Dec. 25, 2017, at his apartment.
On Christmas Day, prosecutors said Iris went to his apartment to pick up their children. Ross met her in the parking lot, where she reportedly told him that she would not take him back. That’s when investigators say Ross shot her multiple times as she tried to run away, then shot her several times again after she fell to the ground.
He reportedly went back into his apartment and shot his children, then returned to the parking lot, where witnesses saw him going through Iris’ pants pockets. When the witnesses asked if she was OK, Ross told them no and pointed the gun at them. They ran away as he went back into his apartment.
Phoenix police were called to the scene, which turned into a standoff when Ross threatened to kill his children if officers came inside. Police were unaware at the time that the children were already dead.
After negotiations broke down hours later, investigators say Ross started shooting. Police went inside, where Ross reportedly fired several shots at them before running out of ammunition. He was then taken into custody.
Defense attorneys argued the killings were not premeditated, saying Ross was depressed and had been drinking on the day of the shootings.
https://www.azfamily.com/2026/05/07/phoenix-chef-sentenced-death-killing-wife-kids-christmas-2017/
https://maricopacountyattorney.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/1300
