Coral Springs, Florida – A local woman has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after admitting to the second-degree murder of her husband amid a tumultuous period marked by suspicions of infidelity. Denise Nicole Malcolm, 46, accepted a plea deal this week that includes credit for the 10 months already spent in custody.
The tragic outcome stemmed from an incident on August 31, 2024, at the couple’s residence on Northwest 43rd Street. Authorities reported that Rohan Noel Malcolm, 52, had just returned from preparing for a family event when a dispute escalated over his subsequent plan to leave the house again.
Court documents reveal that Denise had grown increasingly distrustful over the two years prior to the shooting, fueled by her belief that her husband was unfaithful. This suspicion led to frequent quarrels and the couple sleeping in separate bedrooms, as corroborated by statements from their teenage son.
The confrontation reached its boiling point when Rohan disclosed his intentions to travel to Port Saint Lucie with friends later that day. Convinced that these plans were a cover for another extramarital affair, Denise’s frustration turned into a fatal altercation.
According to police, the couple’s 14-year-old son, who was in another room wearing headphones, was alerted by the sound of gunfire at around 6:30 p.m. Despite rapid response from local law enforcement, Rohan was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds before they could intervene.
During the investigation, Denise Malcolm confessed to shooting her husband multiple times. She initially considered turning the gun on herself but decided against it after a brief inner conflict. She then left the weapon on a bedroom dresser and surrendered to the police.
In the aftermath, first responders confirmed the grim scene with Rohan Malcolm found deceased in the bedroom. Their son later recounted to authorities how the parental relationship had deteriorated significantly over the years, predominantly over issues concerning fidelity.
In addition to her prison sentence, Denise Malcolm has been mandated to pay $23,500 in restitution. Future court sessions will determine additional financial responsibility towards her children’s guardianship.
The community has rallied around the memory of Rohan, described by friends as a charitable and supportive figure. An online fundraising effort to cover funeral costs highlighted his positive influence and the shock of his untimely demise.
With no further charges anticipated in the case, the Malcolms’ children are currently under the care of other family members as their guardianship proceedings continue. The tragedy underscores the devastating impact that personal grievances and mistrust can have, extending far beyond the immediate family.