A Florida woman, Denise Nicole Malcolm, 46, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for the murder of her unfaithful husband, Rohan Noel Malcolm, 52. The sentence follows her guilty plea to second-degree murder with a firearm, a crime that took place in Coral Springs, Florida, in August 2024.
The Crime: A Tragic Outcome of Infidelity and Anger
On August 31, 2024, Rohan Malcolm was shot multiple times at the couple’s home in Coral Springs, located about 20 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale. The incident occurred after Rohan had gone grocery shopping for a Labor Day barbecue.
According to the arrest report, Denise Malcolm had been aware of her husband’s infidelity for about two years, and tensions in their marriage had been rising due to his repeated unfaithfulness.
The fatal shooting happened after Rohan claimed he was going out with “friends” after the shopping trip. Denise did not believe him, suspecting that his “friends” were actually another woman. The couple had been living in separate bedrooms, and their relationship had been strained due to ongoing arguments over his infidelity.
A heated argument followed Rohan’s announcement that he was leaving to go to Port Saint Lucie with his “friends.” The argument escalated, leading Denise to grab a handgun and fire multiple shots at her husband.
The Tragic Scene: A Child Witnesses the Violence
The couple’s 14-year-old son was the first to react after hearing what he described as “two or three loud bangs” while listening to music with headphones. He ran to his parents’ bedroom and saw his mother standing in the doorway with a gun while his father, Rohan, had been shot in the shoulder. The son immediately dialed 911.
Five minutes after the initial shots were fired, police arrived at the scene. They instructed the inhabitants to exit the home, and two twin boys emerged. However, Denise Malcolm remained inside. Moments later, another loud bang was heard, believed to be the final shot that ended Rohan Malcolm’s life.
Denise Malcolm later told police that her husband’s final words stopped her from taking her own life, but they also pushed her to shoot him one last time. After the fatal shot, Denise placed the gun on the bedroom dresser and walked outside to be arrested.
The Aftermath: Family Strain and the Victim’s Legacy
After the shooting, police entered the home and found Rohan lying on his back in a bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds and blood pooling beneath him. The 14-year-old son later told authorities that his parents had been estranged for some time and often argued about his father’s involvement with other women.
In a GoFundMe set up to raise money for Rohan Malcolm’s funeral, a friend of the victim described him as a beloved figure: “Rohan was not just a friend, a brother, or a son; he was a beacon of light, known for his kindness, laughter, and unwavering support for others.”
The Sentence and Restitution
Denise Malcolm pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced on Wednesday to 21 years in prison, with 285 days credited for her time spent in pretrial detention. In addition to her prison sentence, she was ordered to pay $23,500 in restitution and an additional amount to the guardian of her children, which is yet to be determined.
The tragic death of Rohan Malcolm has left a deep impact on the family, especially the children, who witnessed the breakdown of their parents’ marriage and the violent end of their father’s life.
Denise Malcolm’s plea of guilty and her subsequent sentencing to 21 years in prison marks the conclusion of a tragic chapter for a family shattered by infidelity and violence. The case highlights the destructive power of unresolved relationship issues and the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
It also raises questions about the emotional and psychological toll that betrayal can take on individuals, leading to such tragic outcomes.
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