Former Colleague Exposes Conman's Elaborate Death Hoax
A former colleague of one of the world's most notorious conmen has revealed the chilling moment the criminal attempted to convince him he was dying from cancer. This deception was part of a broader scheme to avoid prosecution for multiple rape charges in the United States. The individual, Nicholas Rossi, born Nicholas Alahverdian, orchestrated an elaborate fake death plot before fleeing to Scotland, where he lived under false identities until his eventual capture.
The Baffling Case of Nicholas Rossi
Nicholas Rossi, a 38-year-old from Rhode Island in the United States, gained infamy for faking his own death to escape justice. He was accused of raping several women in Utah back in 2008. To evade these serious allegations, Rossi employed a series of aliases and falsely claimed to have terminal cancer. An obituary was even published online, declaring his supposed demise from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This ruse allowed him to disappear from the public eye and avoid law enforcement for years.
His disappearance went unnoticed until 2021, when he was receiving treatment for Covid-19 at a hospital in Glasgow, Scotland. Staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital recognised his distinctive tattoos from an Interpol wanted-person notice. At the time, Rossi was using the name Arthur Knight and claimed to be an Irish orphan. This discovery marked the beginning of a complex transatlantic legal battle that would eventually see him extradited back to the United States.
New Documentary Sheds Light on the Deception
The astonishing story of Nicholas Rossi is set to be explored in a new Prime Video documentary series titled Nicholas Rossi: Predator on Trial, which premieres on January 30. The series will delve into the investigations and journalistic efforts that first uncovered his crimes, leading to his placement on the sex offenders register. It will also cover his eventual return to the US in 2024, where he was convicted of rape and sentenced to a lengthy prison term.
In a first-look clip from the documentary, journalist Tom Mooney and former Rhode Island House of Representatives member Brian Coogan share their reactions to Rossi's death hoax. Mooney, who had been covering Rossi's legal troubles, expressed confusion over the obituary, questioning the authenticity of the claims. Coogan, however, was more sceptical from the start.
Shocking Testimonies from Those Close to the Case
Brian Coogan recounted a phone call where Rossi, using a raspy voice, tried to elicit sympathy by claiming he was dying. Coogan, familiar with Rossi's history as a registered sex offender, saw through the act. He described Rossi as a con artist and did not hesitate to confront him. In a moment of frustration, Coogan told Rossi to go f**k yourself, calling him a cockroach for his trail of lies.
Tom Mooney added that the obituary and subsequent media coverage painted Rossi as a great warrior for children, given his past as a child welfare advocate in Rhode Island. This portrayal made the revelation of his crimes even more shocking to the public. Even Rossi's own family, including his uncle Michael, believed he was dead, grieving his loss until the truth emerged.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Last year, Nicholas Rossi was sentenced to at least five years in prison for raping two women in northern Utah in 2008. He received an indeterminate term, meaning his release date will be determined by the state parole board, and he could potentially face a life sentence. A second sentencing is scheduled for November, as he was convicted separately for each crime in August and September.
During the sentencing hearing in Salt Lake City, one of his accusers described how Rossi left a trail of fear, pain and destruction. She emphasised that her testimony was not about vengeance but about seeking safety and accountability for the irreversible damage caused. Prosecutor Brandon Simmons labelled Rossi as a threat to public safety, stating that he uses rape to control women.
The Aftermath and Ongoing Impact
Despite the convictions, Rossi has maintained his innocence, claiming in a soft, raspy voice at his hearing that the women are lying. The case highlights the lengths to which some individuals will go to avoid justice, including faking their own death and assuming multiple identities. Rossi used over a dozen aliases over the years, including Arthur Brown, under which he married a British woman named Miranda Knight after meeting her in Bristol.
The documentary series promises to unpack how Rossi constructed his web of deception and follows the extraordinary efforts to bring him to justice. It features firsthand testimony from his victims, offering a comprehensive look at one of the most dangerous conmen in recent history.
Nicholas Rossi: Predator on Trial will be available to stream on Prime Video from January 30, providing an in-depth examination of this baffling and disturbing case.
