Nicholas Rossi, rapist who faked death and fled to Scotland, dies in U.S. months after being convicted

Updated on: June 26, 2026 / 1:37 PM EDT

/ CBS/AP

Add CBS News on Google

A man who was accused of faking his own death and fleeing to Europe to evade rape charges in the U.S. has died after he was taken to a hospital from a Utah prison, authorities said Friday.Nicholas Rossi, 38, was serving at least 10 years in prison in Utah following his convictions in 2025 in two sexual assault cases. Rossi died Thursday night from "complications of an existing medical condition after choosing to discontinue medical treatment," the Utah Department of Corrections confirmed in a statement to CBS News on Friday.His victims and his family were notified, the department said.Richard Piatt, a spokesperson at the department, told the Associated Press he couldn't disclose details about Rossi's health problems. But during court appearances, he had appeared in a wheelchair and used oxygen.Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian, was extradited to Utah from Scotland in 2024.

Nicholas Rossi appears at a jury trial in Salt Lake City, Aug. 11, 2025.