Nicholas Rossi, a man notorious for allegedly faking his death to dodge serious criminal charges, has passed away while serving his prison sentence in Utah. His tale, which unfolded across continents, came to a close following his death in a Utah hospital, as confirmed by state authorities.
Rossi, who was 38, was serving a minimum of 10 years for multiple sexual assault convictions in Utah. His capture in Scotland after a global search marked the end of a saga that began with him allegedly staging his own demise in 2020. A judge in Utah had labeled him a “serial abuser of women.”
The Utah Department of Corrections spokesperson, Richard Piatt, stated that Rossi died from “complications of an existing medical condition after choosing to discontinue medical treatment.” While specific health issues were not disclosed, Rossi was seen in court using a wheelchair and oxygen support.
His victims and family members have been informed of his death, Piatt added.
Salt Lake County prosecutor Sim Gill remarked, “Mr. Rossi was a sexual predator who tried to escape accountability. The survivors of his heinous acts have the consolation that he died in prison with the knowledge of the crimes he committed.”
Rossi, also known under the alias Nicholas Alahverdian, was extradited to Utah from Scotland in 2024. His identification in 2018 through DNA evidence linked him to crimes committed over a decade prior. After charges were filed, an online obituary falsely claimed he had died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma in early 2020. However, doubts about his death arose from authorities and those who knew him.
The following year, Rossi was apprehended in Scotland while receiving COVID-19 treatment. His distinctive tattoos, including one resembling Brown University’s crest, helped confirm his identity, despite his claims of being an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight. Investigators uncovered at least a dozen aliases used by Rossi to avoid capture.
Two women in Utah had brought forth sexual assault allegations against him. One reported that Rossi raped her in an apartment after she sought to retrieve money he had taken from her to buy a computer.
Another woman testified about meeting Rossi through a Craigslist ad, leading to a swift engagement. She recounted how Rossi financially exploited her by asking for money for dates, car repairs, rent, and engagement rings, accumulating significant debt.
During a sentencing hearing last October, Rossi defended himself, stating, “I am not guilty of this. These women are lying.”
