A man named Arthur Knight was admitted to a hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, suffering from COVID-19. But as investigators began to look closer, they believed Arthur Knight wasn’t who he claimed to be.

Authorities alleged he was actually Nicholas Alahverdian — a Rhode Island fugitive accused of fraud, sexual assault, and of faking his own death. What followed was an international legal battle, disputed identities, and a story filled with deception, reinvention, and a dramatic fight over extradition.

Support us on Patreon

Today's snack: Old World Bacon Gouda and Colameco's Uncured Chorizo (thanks Shannon!)

Sources:

https://www.peacocktv.com/watch/playback/vod/_/517c2093-c1b7-3139-9ae2-168153270b8a Rossi: A Fugitive Faking Death (US) Imposter: The Man Who Came Back From the D
ead (UK)
https://everloved.com/life-of/nicholas-alahverdian/obituary/ obituary
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/01/27/nick-alahverdian-reported-dead-but-police-kept-looking-him/4279389001/
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2349d9k999o
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/20/nicholas-rossi-fake-death-rape-conviction
https://turnto10.com/news/local/nicholas-alahverdian-rape-case-allegations-charges-provo-salt-lake-county-utah-scotland-ireland-faked-death-rossi-arthur-knight-state-house-department-children-youth-families-extradition
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/fugitive-rapist-nicholas-rossi-caused-chaos-while-in-prison-55twwhczr
https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/nicholas-rossi-sentenced-to-5-years-to-life-in-prison-for-salt-lake-county-rape-conviction
https://www.newspapers.com/image/1235740141/?match=1&terms=nicholas%20rossihttps://www.newspapers.com/image/1235740141/?match=1&terms=nicholas%20rossi
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg50eeqzegjo
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/us-rapist-nicholas-rossi-jailed-10-years-two-women-sqq8wwmnk?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20151203132528/https://www.wpri.com/2013/08/22/suit-against-dcyf-settled//
https://turnto10.com/news/local/rhode-island-child-welfare-reform-advocate-dies-of-cancer
Dateline season 33, episode 10 The Man of Many Faces
Dateline season 31, episode 28 Dead Man Talking
I am not Nicholas Podcast by Jane MacSorley and BBC (available on Audible)

Nicholas Alahverdian/Nicholas Rossi/Arthur Knight