Nicholas Rossi, who apparently faked his own death and fled to Scotland while facing two rape charges, will serve at least five years in a Utah prison. This could become life imprisonment for a 38-year-old New Hampshire man still facing sentencing on a second rape charge. following beliefs in August and September.
He was charged with assaulting two women in northern Utah in 2008 after being identified in 2018 using evidence from an old DNA rape kit.
Shortly after he was named as a suspect, online obituary said Rossi, whose legal name is Nicholas Alakhverdian, died of late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It stated that “his battle for life ended on February 29, 2020” in Rhode Island and that his ashes were scattered at sea. According to this statement, he is survived by his loving wife and two “beloved children.”
Rhode Island police officers, his former lawyer and his former foster family said they were unsure of the accuracy of the death notice.
In December 2021, Rossi found himself in a Scottish hospital where he was treated for COVID-19. Employees recognized his Brown University tattoo from an Interpol notification and contacted authorities. He did not attend this school.
Rossi told officials that he was an Irish orphan named Arthur King who had been misidentified. Scottish authorities approved his extradition in October 2023. He returned to the US by January 2024, challenging the order. Investigators said Rossi used at least a dozen aliases to avoid arrest.
He appeared in Utah court Thursday wearing an oxygen mask and in a wheelchair.
“It's not my fault. These women are lying,” Rossi said weakly.
The parole board will determine the length of his sentence. A sentence of five years to life is the range of possible prison sentences under Utah law for rape.
During his sentencing, a Utah judge called Rossi “the very definition of a flight risk.” His lawyers asked for parole.
With news services
