Man Who Faked His Own Death to Evade Rape Charges Actually Dies Behind Bars

Nicholas Rossi, a 38-year-old man originally from Rhode Island, has died in custody while serving a prison sentence in the United States. His passing occurred on June 25, less than a year after his conviction on multiple counts of rape. The Utah Department of Corrections confirmed that Rossi succumbed to complications from a pre-existing medical condition, having reportedly chosen to stop receiving treatment.

Initially pronounced dead at 8:32 p.m., Rossi’s final moments transpired in a local hospital. Authorities released a statement detailing the circumstances surrounding his death, which noted communication with both his family and his victims. However, further specifics regarding the medical condition he faced have not been disclosed.

Rossi, who was also known by the alias Nicholas Alahverdian, was serving a cumulative sentence of 10 years to life following his convictions in two distinct rape cases. The complaints stemmed from two incidents that occurred in 2008, with Rossi found guilty in court in the latter part of 2025.

The first incident involved the rape of a 21-year-old woman, a former girlfriend whom he had met online. The attack took place at his apartment in Orem, Utah, during an argument related to their relationship. The prosecution described the events leading to the crime as a culmination of their troubled romantic history.

In 2017, while under investigation for his actions, Rossi fled the United States, initially travelling to Britain or Ireland. Utilizing several aliases, he eventually made his way to Scotland. His previous offences came to light when authorities started reviewing old rape kits and identified him as the suspect in a second case from 2008.

The second allegation involved a different former girlfriend who accused Rossi of raping her during a meeting to retrieve funds she claimed he had stolen from her. It was during these serious accusations that Rossi attempted to conceal his identity by faking his own death. An online obituary announced that he had passed away on February 29, 2020, due to non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

However, Rossi’s deception was unveiled in 2021 when he was arrested at a hospital in Glasgow, where he had been seeking treatment for COVID-19. His identity was confirmed after a healthcare worker recognised his tattoos from an Interpol notice. Following his arrest, he was extradited back to the United States in January 2024 to face the legal consequences of his actions.

Rossi maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings, causing significant intrigue during his trial. He appeared in court with an oxygen mask and in a wheelchair, claiming to be an Irish man named Arthur Knight who was the victim of a conspiracy. He even adopted a British accent during his court appearances, which added to the bizarre nature of his case.

Despite his assertions of innocence, the court did not find merit in his claims. At his sentencing in October 2025, the presiding judge described Rossi as “a serial abuser of women,” reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the impact on the lives of his victims.

The case has drawn attention not only because of the gravity of the offences but also due to the lengths Rossi went to evade justice. His story is a chilling reminder of the significant challenges in addressing sexual crimes and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of their attempts to escape the consequences. Rossi’s death now marks a controversial end to a lengthy and convoluted legal saga that has left many unanswered questions and ongoing discussions surrounding justice for sexual assault survivors.