She Survived Cancer — But Her Husband’s Secret Killed Her Just Days Later
Denise Broadie was a fighter.
She had already done the unimaginable — survived cancer — and was ready to reclaim her life, her health, and her happiness. Friends say she had a smile that could light up a room, a laugh that carried hope even on the darkest days. But what Denise didn’t know was that an even deadlier threat was hiding inside the walls of her own home — one she could never have seen coming.
Her husband, Cleveland Broadie, had been living with a terrible secret: he was HIV-positive. And according to prosecutors, he knew — and said nothing.
Not once.
Not even as he continued to sleep with her without protection, exposing her to a virus she had no way to defend herself against.
In April 2022, just two days after doctors delivered the unthinkable diagnosis of full-blown AIDS, Denise was gone.
A Heartbreaking Betrayal
In a case that has shocked even seasoned investigators in Rockdale County, Georgia, 60-year-old Cleveland Broadie now stands charged with malice murder and felony murder in his wife’s death. Initially, he faced a reckless conduct charge. But after a deeper look into the evidence — and after considering how completely Denise’s trust had been shattered — a grand jury decided his alleged silence amounted to something far worse: an act of murder.
“This wasn’t just negligence. It wasn’t a mistake. It was a deliberate decision to let someone he loved die without giving her a chance to fight,” one official said.
Adding to the horror, authorities believe there may be other women who were unknowingly exposed by Broadie, and they are urging anyone who had contact with him to come forward.
A Community in Mourning
Those who knew Denise describe her as “a beam of light” — a woman who loved fiercely, who fought bravely, and who deserved so much more.
“She was a survivor,” one family member said. “She had already beaten cancer. How is it fair that this is what took her?”
The sense of betrayal runs deep, not just because Denise was misled, but because she was robbed of the chance to make her own choices — robbed of the dignity and agency she had fought so hard to keep during her cancer battle.
“She didn’t get a warning. She didn’t get a choice. She just got sick. And died.”
Bigger Questions About Justice
The Broadie case touches on painful, complex questions:
How do we define violence? How do we punish betrayal that costs someone their life?
In Georgia, knowingly exposing someone to HIV without informing them is a felony. But charging someone with murder — that’s rare. Prosecutors argue that in this case, it’s justified. The silence, they say, was as deadly as any weapon.
Meanwhile, some health advocates have raised concerns about how the justice system handles HIV-related cases, warning against laws that could stigmatize people living with the virus. But prosecutors maintain that this is not about stigma — it’s about accountability for someone who they believe made a deadly, conscious choice.
What’s Next
Cleveland Broadie is awaiting trial and could face a lifetime behind bars. Investigators are still working to determine if there are more victims — women who may not even know yet that they were exposed.
As for Denise’s family, they’re left with a grief that words barely touch — a loss that feels not only senseless but cruel.
“She fought so hard to live,” a loved one said quietly. “And he took that from her without even telling her.”
Pulkeet Gupta is a dedicated content writer specializing in the field of education and entertainment niche. With a passion for learning and a keen interest in sharing knowledge, Pulkeet has established himself as a prominent figure in the education and entertainment writing community.
