Georgia man knowingly gave HIV to wife, who died 2 days after the diagnosis. Now multiple women reveal alleged affairs
She survived twice. But the truth was still waiting
Surviving cancer twice should have given Denise Broadie a chance to enjoy life again. Instead, the Georgia woman continued struggling with unexplained health problems. By the time doctors discovered what was wrong, she had only two days left to live.
Her husband, Cleveland Broadie, allegedly knew something she didn’t. Prosecutors claimed he had been living with HIV for years without telling his wife. And Denise wasn’t the only woman who reportedly had no idea about his diagnosis.
According to Law&Crime, Cleveland, 64, has now avoided a murder trial through a plea deal. He received a 15-year sentence but will serve only eight years in prison, despite previously facing two murder charges.
What her family discovered changed everything
Denise Broadie married Cleveland in 2014, unaware, according to prosecutors, that he had been HIV-positive since 2006. Authorities alleged he never disclosed his diagnosis, even as his wife faced serious health problems.
Denise was first diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and successfully went into remission. When the disease returned in 2019, she fought it again and survived. However, her health continued deteriorating, leaving her family searching for answers.
She had been in and out of hospitals, and her relatives believed her ongoing illness was connected to cancer. Eventually, further testing at another hospital revealed something they hadn’t expected. Denise had AIDS, the most advanced stage of HIV infection.
The diagnosis came on March 31, 2022. Just two days later, on April 2, Denise died from pneumonia and respiratory failure related to HIV/AIDS, according to her death certificate. Doctors reportedly believed the infection had gone undiagnosed and untreated for years.
Her daughters, Karen Young and Tammy Hammonds, maintained that their mother had not been sexually involved with anyone other than Cleveland. They also made clear that Cleveland was not their biological father.
The family struggled to get authorities to investigate. Young later credited local investigative reporting with bringing attention to the case and pushing the investigation forward.
“We fought tooth and nail trying to get attention and get police to investigate,” Young recalled.
The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office eventually arrested Cleveland on a reckless conduct charge involving HIV exposure. But the investigation didn’t stop with Denise.
After the case received publicity in 2023, multiple women came forward about their relationships with Cleveland. Two alleged he had engaged in unprotected sex with them without revealing his HIV-positive status.
Prosecutors subsequently argued that Cleveland had deliberately concealed his diagnosis, failed to take his medication regularly, and continued having unprotected sex with his wife and other women.
His defense attorney disputed the allegations about Denise’s knowledge, claiming Cleveland had disclosed his HIV status to her in writing before their marriage. Her family rejected that explanation.
The case eventually resulted in five charges against Cleveland, including malice murder, felony murder, and three counts of reckless conduct. During a May 2025 hearing, his bond was set at $1.5 million.
On October 7, 2026, Cleveland pleaded guilty to three reckless conduct charges. The two murder charges were dismissed as part of the agreement, ending the possibility of a murder trial in the case.
Although sentenced to 15 years, Cleveland must serve eight years behind bars. After his release, he must leave Rockdale County, avoid contact with the victims and their families, share medical records with his probation officer, and continue HIV treatment.
The case also highlights the importance of HIV awareness and challenging misconceptions about AIDS. After all, infections can go undetected for years, as Denise’s case demonstrates.
For Denise’s daughters, the agreement finally brought some closure after years of pursuing accountability. “Our main goal was to hold him accountable and we’ve done that,” Hammonds explained.
Young expressed similar relief, saying the family could finally begin mourning their mother properly. She also hoped the public attention surrounding Cleveland’s case would help other women learn about his history before becoming involved with him. “I think she’s proud we saw it through and got justice for her and the other victims,” Young said.
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