Nicholas Rossi (also known as Nicholas Alahverdian) is a convicted sex offender and con artist currently incarcerated in the Utah State Correctional Facility as of February 2026. After faking his own death in 2020 to evade prosecution, he was discovered living in Scotland under the alias “Arthur Knight.” Following a lengthy and highly publicized extradition battle, he was returned to the United States in January 2024. In late 2025, Rossi was found guilty in two separate trials for rapes committed in 2008 and was sentenced to two terms of five years to life in prison.
The saga of Nicholas Rossi is one of the most bizarre and convoluted criminal cases in modern history. It involves a faked death from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, an international manhunt, a dramatic arrest in a Glasgow hospital ward, and a surreal extradition battle where the suspect adopted a fake British accent and claimed to be an Irish orphan.
This comprehensive guide covers every aspect of the Nicholas Rossi case, from his troubled early life in Rhode Island and his initial crimes in Ohio to the elaborate deception of his “death” and his ultimate downfall in the Scottish courts. It explores the legal intricacies of his extradition, the details of his 2025 trials in Utah, and the profound impact his actions had on his victims and the justice system.
The Early Years: Rhode Island and Ohio
Nicholas Rossi’s story begins long before his face was plastered across international tabloids. Born Nicholas Alahverdian in July 1987 in Providence, Rhode Island, his early life was marked by instability and early brushes with the law.
Foster Care and The Alahverdian Foundation
Rossi grew up in the Rhode Island foster care system, an experience that would later become central to his public persona.In his early twenties, he positioned himself as a vocal child welfare activist. He founded “The Alahverdian Foundation,” ostensibly to advocate for reform in the foster care system.+2
- Lobbying Efforts: He frequently visited the Rhode Island State House, lobbying legislators and garnering media attention for his cause.
- The Facade: While he presented himself as a crusader for vulnerable children, reports later surfaced suggesting the foundation was largely a vehicle for self-promotion and, potentially, financial impropriety.
The Ohio Conviction (2008)
Rossi’s first major documented encounter with the criminal justice system occurred in Dayton, Ohio.
- The Incident: While a student at Sinclair Community College, he was accused of sexually imposing himself on a female student in a stairwell.
- The Verdict: He was convicted of “sexual imposition” and public indecency in 2008.
- The Aftermath: This conviction required him to register as a sex offender. His failure to maintain this registration in later years would become one of the primary legal triggers for the manhunt that ensued.
Mounting Legal Troubles (2010s)
Throughout the 2010s, Rossi’s life was a patchwork of aliases, debts, and accusations.
- Rhode Island & Arizona: He moved between states, often leaving a trail of unpaid bills and disgruntled acquaintances.
- DNA Matches: Unbeknownst to him, the state of Utah was working through a backlog of untested rape kits. In 2018, DNA evidence from a 2008 sexual assault case in Utah was matched to Rossi. Prosecutors filed charges, but by then, Rossi was already plotting his ultimate escape.+1
The Faked Death Scheme (2020)
In late 2019, Nicholas Rossi began laying the groundwork for his disappearance. He told local media and Rhode Island politicians that he had been diagnosed with late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The Obituary
On February 29, 2020, an obituary appeared online claiming that Nicholas Alahverdian had died. The obituary was florid and highly detailed, describing him as a “warrior” who had fought bravely for children’s rights.
- The Memorial: A memorial service was held, attended by unsuspecting friends and political figures. His ashes were reportedly scattered at sea.
- Skepticism: Almost immediately, cracks appeared in the story. Foster families and former associates noted inconsistencies. The FBI and Rhode Island State Police, who were already investigating him for fraud and failure to register as a sex offender, were suspicious. They found no death certificate filed in any relevant jurisdiction.
The Scottish Chapter: “Arthur Knight”
Rossi had not died; he had fled to the United Kingdom. He eventually settled in Bristol and then Glasgow, Scotland, adopting the persona of “Arthur Knight.”
The Arrest at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (2021)
The fugitive’s luck ran out in December 2021. Rossi was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for severe COVID-19 treatment.
- The Identification: Hospital staff noticed that the tattoos on the unconscious patient—specifically distinctive ink on his arms—matched an Interpol Red Notice circulated for Nicholas Rossi.
- The Arrest: Scottish police attended the ward and arrested him upon his recovery. This kicked off a two-year legal circus.
The “Arthur Knight” Defense
For the next two years, Rossi vehemently denied he was Nicholas Rossi. He insisted he was Arthur Knight, an Irish orphan who had never been to the United States.
- The Accent: He adopted an exaggerated, posh English accent (occasionally slipping into Irish variances) that baffled linguistic experts.
- The Wheelchair: He appeared in court in a wheelchair, often using an oxygen mask, claiming he was too frail to walk or breathe independently—claims that medical staff repeatedly refuted.
- Media Spectacle: He gave bizarre television interviews, including a Dateline NBC segment, where he wore a fedora and sunglasses indoors, attempting to gaslight reporters about his identity.
The Fingerprint Hearing (November 2022)
The identity dispute culminated in a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
- Evidence: Authorities presented fingerprint evidence taken by a police officer from the “Arthur Knight” patient that matched Nicholas Rossi’s records from the US.
- The Ruling: Sheriff Norman McFadyen issued a scathing ruling, calling Rossi’s claims “implausible and fanciful” and officially declaring that Arthur Knight was indeed Nicholas Rossi.
Extradition to the United States (2024)
Following the confirmation of his identity, the legal battle shifted to extradition. Rossi fought this tooth and nail, claiming that US prison conditions would violate his human rights and that he was too ill to travel.
The Final Appeal
Rossi’s legal team exhausted every avenue of appeal in the Scottish courts.
- The Decision: In late 2023, the Scottish government approved the extradition order.
- The Transfer: On January 5, 2024, Nicholas Rossi was removed from Scotland. He was flown by private charter to the United States, accompanied by US Marshals.
Return to Utah
Upon landing in Utah, Rossi was arraigned on the outstanding rape charges. Even then, in his initial hearings, he continued to mutter that he was Arthur Knight, though the American courts had zero patience for the charade. By late 2024, faced with overwhelming DNA evidence, he finally admitted his true identity.
The Utah Rape Trials (2025)
The year 2025 saw Nicholas Rossi finally face a jury of his peers for crimes committed nearly two decades prior.
Trial 1: Salt Lake County (August 2025)
The first trial focused on a 2008 rape case in Salt Lake County.
- The Case: Prosecutors alleged Rossi had sexually assaulted a former girlfriend.
- The Evidence: The case relied heavily on the victim’s testimony and the pattern of behavior established by Rossi’s past.
- The Verdict: The jury found him Guilty of first-degree felony rape.
Trial 2: Utah County (September 2025)
Just weeks later, a second trial commenced in Provo, Utah.
- The Case: This involved another rape allegation from 2008, identified through the rape kit backlog testing.
- The Verdict: Once again, the jury returned a Guilty verdict.
Sentencing (October/November 2025)
Utah law for first-degree felony rape carries a mandatory indeterminate sentence.
- The Sentence: In October 2025, Judge Barry Lawrence sentenced Rossi to five years to life in prison for the first conviction.
- Consecutive/Concurrent: He received a similar sentence for the second conviction. As of early 2026, he is serving these sentences in the Utah State Correctional Facility.
Practical Information and Planning
While Nicholas Rossi is a prisoner and not a tourist attraction, his case has generated significant interest in the legal and true crime communities.
Tracking Inmate Status
For those following the case or verifying his incarceration:
- Website: Utah Department of Corrections (UDC) Inmate Search.
- Search Query: Search by “Nicholas Rossi” or “Nicholas Alahverdian.”
- Status Codes: His status will likely read “In Custody” or “Prison.”
Court Records Access
Public records regarding his trials are available through the Utah State Courts system.
- XChange System: Utah’s online court record database requires a subscription or a small fee for document access.
- Case Numbers: Look for cases filed in the Third District Court (Salt Lake) and Fourth District Court (Utah County) under his name.
Victim Advocacy Resources
The Rossi case highlights the importance of testing backlogged rape kits.
- Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA): Provides resources for survivors.
- Joyful Heart Foundation: A national organization advocating for the testing of rape kits (End The Backlog).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Nicholas Rossi currently in prison? Yes. As of February 2026, Nicholas Rossi is incarcerated at the Utah State Correctional Facility. He was convicted of two counts of rape in late 2025 and sentenced to two terms of five years to life.
2. Did Nicholas Rossi ever admit he wasn’t Arthur Knight? Yes. After years of denial, Rossi admitted in an October 2024 court hearing that “Arthur Knight” was an alias and that he is, in fact, Nicholas Rossi. This admission came after his extradition to the US and overwhelming DNA evidence against him.
3. How did Nicholas Rossi fake his death? He posted an online obituary in February 2020 claiming he had died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A memorial service was held, and he reportedly fled the country using a fake passport shortly thereafter. There was never a death certificate or a body.
4. What gave him away in Scotland? His tattoos. While unconscious and being treated for severe COVID-19 at a Glasgow hospital in 2021, medical staff noticed his distinctive tattoos and alerted authorities, who matched them to an Interpol Red Notice.
5. Why does he use a wheelchair and oxygen mask? During his time in Scotland, Rossi claimed to have severe medical conditions preventing him from walking or breathing unaided. However, medical experts testified there was no physical reason for his legs not to work. Prosecutors argued it was a ruse to garner sympathy and delay extradition.
6. What are the charges against Nicholas Rossi? He has been convicted of two counts of rape in Utah (first-degree felonies). He also faces potential charges in Ohio for fraud and in Rhode Island for failing to register as a sex offender.
7. Who is Miranda Knight? Miranda Knight is the British woman who married Rossi (then living as Arthur Knight) in Bristol. She staunchly defended him during the extradition hearings, claiming he was not Rossi, though she later ceased her public defense after his identity was irrefutably proven.
8. What was the Alahverdian Foundation? It was a non-profit organization founded by Rossi in Rhode Island, ostensibly to advocate for foster care reform. Investigations later suggested it was largely a fraudulent vehicle used to build his personal brand and solicit donations.
9. How long will Nicholas Rossi be in prison? He was sentenced to “five years to life.” In Utah, the Board of Pardons and Parole determines the actual release date. Given the severity of his crimes, his flight risk, and his lack of remorse, he is expected to serve a significant portion of that sentence, potentially decades.
10. Is there a documentary about Nicholas Rossi? Yes. Several documentaries and podcasts have covered the case, including Imposter: The Man Who Came Back from the Dead (Channel 4/Peacock) and episodes of Dateline NBC.
11. Did he really have cancer? There is no verifiable medical evidence that he ever had non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Prosecutors and former associates believe the cancer diagnosis was fabricated as part of his long-con to fake his death.
12. Why did it take so long to catch him? He was highly skilled at using aliases and moving between jurisdictions.Additionally, the rape charges in Utah stemmed from a backlog of untested kits; the DNA match only occurred in 2018, by which time he was already preparing to flee the country.
13. What happened to his tattoos? During the extradition hearings, Rossi claimed the tattoos on his body were planted by hospital staff while he was in a coma to frame him. This claim was dismissed by the judge as fantastical.
14. Can he appeal his convictions? Yes, he has the right to appeal his 2025 convictions. His legal team has indicated they will file appeals, likely citing procedural errors or ineffective counsel, but as of 2026, the convictions stand.
15. What is his legal name now? His legal birth name is Nicholas Alahverdian. He legally changed it to Nicholas Rossi, and then used various aliases like Arthur Knight. In the US prison system, he is processed under the name Nicholas Rossi or Nicholas Alahverdian.
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