A Phoenix man convicted of killing his ex-wife and their two young children on Christmas Day in 2017 has been sentenced to death.
Anthony Milan Ross, 54, received the sentence Thursday after a jury previously found him guilty of three counts of first-degree murder along with multiple aggravated assault charges, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
In addition to the death penalty, Ross was sentenced to 18 years in prison for aggravated assault convictions connected to the case.
Prosecutors said Ross fatally shot his ex-wife, Iris, along with the couple’s 11-year-old son, Nigel, and their 8-month-old daughter, Anora, on Dec. 25, 2017.
Authorities said the violence began when Iris arrived at Ross’ apartment near 16th Street and Highland Avenue to pick up the children for Christmas. According to prosecutors, Ross became enraged after she refused to reconcile with him and shot her multiple times in the parking lot before returning inside and killing the children.
At the time, Ross had developed a public following online as a vegan lifestyle influencer known as Milan Ross.
The killings led to a lengthy armed standoff with police. Investigators said Ross threatened to kill the children if officers entered the apartment. After hours of negotiations, he allegedly opened fire on officers, prompting police to move in. Prosecutors said Ross continued shooting until he exhausted his ammunition before being taken into custody.
Rachel Mitchell said in a statement that the sentence reflected the severity of the crimes.
“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,” Mitchell said following the sentencing.
Ross was convicted by a jury in November 2025.
Arizona currently has more than 100 inmates on death row. The state’s next scheduled execution is set for May 20, when convicted murderer Leroy Dean McGill is expected to be executed for a 2002 killing.
