Faked Death, Captured, Then CONVICTED!

A Rhode Island man who faked his own death and fled to Scotland to avoid rape charges was convicted in Utah, offering long-delayed justice for his survivor.

At a Glance

A Salt Lake County jury found Nicholas Rossi—also known as Nicholas Alahverdian and “Arthur Knight”—guilty of first-degree rape for a 2008 assault.
Rossi, aged 38, did not testify during the three-day trial; the verdict was reached Wednesday, August 14, 2025.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2025. He could face five years to life in prison under Utah law.
A second rape trial in Utah County will begin jury selection in September 2025.
Rossi had resurfaced in Glasgow in 2021 during COVID-19 treatment, where authorities identified him via tattoos and fingerprints. He was extradited to the U.S. in January 2024.

A Fugitive Unmasked

Nicholas Rossi, originally from Rhode Island and legally named Nicholas Alahverdian, faked his own death in early 2020 and circulated a bogus obituary claiming he had died of late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Multiple associates expressed doubts about the report’s credibility.

Watch now: Man accused of faking his death to avoid rape charges is found guilty of sexual assault in Utah · AP News

He was located in Glasgow, Scotland, in late 2021 while undergoing treatment for COVID-19. Hospital staff recognized distinctive tattoos that matched information on Interpol, leading to his arrest. He claimed to be an Irish orphan named “Arthur Knight,” a disguise that investigators subsequently debunked.

Following a protracted legal battle in Scotland, Rossi was extradited to Utah in January 2024.

Trial and Verdict

The trial in Salt Lake County began earlier this week. Rossi declined to testify on his own behalf; instead, the victim and her parents provided testimony recounting the events from 2008. The jury deliberated for roughly three days before reaching a unanimous guilty verdict late Wednesday, August 14.

Prosecutors stressed that the victim, who had recently recovered from a traumatic brain injury, had endured emotional pressure and financial manipulation, including being asked to pay for dates and items such as car repairs and an engagement ring. The assault occurred after a hostile argument, with Rossi raping her in his bedroom.

The defense countered that the accusations stemmed from long-held resentment, arguing that financial disputes fueled the claims.

Next Steps and Broader Context

Rossi’s sentencing is set for October 20, 2025. Under Utah law, a first-degree rape conviction carries a sentence ranging from five years to life in prison.

Meanwhile, a second rape trial in Utah County will commence with jury selection in September 2025.

This case originated from Utah’s initiative to clear a backlog of unprocessed rape kits, which led authorities in 2018 to link Rossi to the assault via DNA analysis.

The survivor’s decision to come forward years later, despite initial discouragement, was acknowledged by Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, who praised her courage and perseverance.