Rod Ross

"It's a notebook that can kill people. I wouldn't be surprised if it's alive."

- Chapter 70

Rod Ross (ロッド・ロス, Roddo Rossu) is the leader of the Mafia organization that Mello joins after leaving Wammy's House.

Appearance
Ross is a tall man with large muscles. He has no hair on his head, though he has facial hair. He is often seen shirtless, but sometimes wears a formal shirt and suit jacket.

In the video game Death Note: Successors to L, Ross's skin color is different. He is black and wears a black button-up shirt and a beige suit.

Character
His description in Death Note 13: How to Read states that he is "the boss of an American crime syndicate. A big fish the police can't even take down." When asked by an interviewer who the most "evil" character in Death Note is, Tsugumi Ohba replied by saying that Ross is the most evil; Ohba added that Ross is "pretty darn evil" as he is the leader of the Mafia. He likes tequila and dislikes soccer.

Plot
Ross is the leader of the Mafia, and he aims to have power. He allows Mello to join the group because they have the shared goal of taking down Kira. Mello proves he is worthy by locating a rival gang that even Kira couldn't. Following Mello's admittance to the group, Ross typically takes advice from him. Ross is later killed by Light Yagami.

Trivia

 * Ross' lifespan shown by the Shinigami Eyes is 351011.
 * His name is mentioned in the novel L: Change the WorLd as the leader of an arms syndicate who deals with the mob. This is one of the cases L solves during his final days.