Nicholas Rossi Sentenced to Five Years to Life for 2008 Utah Rape After Faking Death and Fleeing to Scotland

Fugitive's Decades-Long Evasion Ends in Utah Courtroom

Salt Lake City, Utah – Nicholas Rossi, the American man who faked his own death and fled to Scotland to evade justice, has been sentenced to an indeterminate term of five years to life in prison for the 2008 rape of his ex-girlfriend. The sentencing took place on Monday, October 20, 2025, in a Salt Lake City courtroom, marking a significant development in a case that spanned over a decade and involved an international manhunt.

District Judge Barry Lawrence presided over the sentencing, describing the 38-year-old Rossi as 'a serial abuser of women' and 'the very definition of a flight risk.' This conviction is the first of two rape charges from 2008 for which Rossi has been found guilty; a second sentencing is scheduled for November 4 for a separate rape conviction in Utah County.

Elaborate Deception and International Capture

Rossi, whose legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian, orchestrated an elaborate scheme to avoid prosecution. In February 2020, an online obituary falsely claimed he had died from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He then fled to the United Kingdom, living under various aliases, including Arthur Knight.

His evasion ended in December 2021 when he was arrested at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland. Hospital staff recognized his distinctive tattoos from an Interpol alert while he was receiving treatment for COVID-19. Despite his persistent claims of mistaken identity, asserting he was an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight, his true identity was confirmed through DNA and his tattoos. After a lengthy extradition battle, Rossi was returned to the United States in January 2024.

Victim's Impact and Rossi's Continued Denial

During the sentencing, one of Rossi's victims delivered a powerful statement, detailing the profound impact of his actions. She described a 'trail of fear, pain and destruction' and emphasized, 'This is not a plea for vengeance. This is a plea for safety and accountability, for recognition of the damage that will never fully heal.'

Despite the conviction and the victim's testimony, Rossi maintained his innocence before the court. Appearing in a wheelchair and using an oxygen tank, he stated, 'I am not guilty of this. These women are lying, and in due course, we will lodge an appeal.' The sentence of five years to life is an indeterminate term under Utah law, meaning the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole will ultimately determine his release date.