Brooke Mueller, an actress and real-estate investor with a history of drug abuse, learned that her estranged husband had been diagnosed with HIV back in 2011 – and she was terrified for her life.
In a text message – which has been obtained by The National Enquirer, which broke the news of his HIV-positive status today – to Charlie’s now-deceased assistant, Brooke allegedly says, “I snapped… I couldn’t handle the HIV news. Just six months ago I was diagnosed with the eye disease and then Charlie potentially giving me HIV.”
The text Brooke allegedly sent to Charlie’s assistant, according to The National Enquirer.
Radar Online reports that Charlie, who has boasted of sleeping with more than 5000 women, kept his diagnosis a secret for years.
There is so far no suggestion any of them have been infected with the virus, which affects the immune system and can develop into AIDS, however there are reportedly “several active lawsuits” pending against former Two and a Half Men star Charlie, 50.
Charlie and Brooke – who are both well-documented drug users – were married in 2008 after being introduced by mutual friend, actress Rebecca Gayheart.
They became parents to twin boys, Max and Bob, in 2009 – the same year Charlie was arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse.
The pair filed for divorce in 2010, before going on a make or break holiday in Mexico in 2011.
Brooke and Charlie on their make-or-break holiday in Mexico in 2011.
According to her panicked text obtained by The Enquirer, discovering that Charlie was HIV positive sent her into a downward spiral.
“I had a drug-induced psychotic break at Charlie’s after doing drugs with Charlie for that many days,” she allegedly said. “I stayed up for days and it made my brain misfire. I don’t even remember most of it.”
The magazine also reports that Brooke said in another text, “I feel totally disgusted with myself. I have to talk to him about our kids. Does he have five minutes for me?”
In 2013, Brooke and Charlie’s sons were taken away from her by authorities, and custody was given to her brother Scott – though they all lived together.
Charlie’s ex Denise Richards also took temporary custody of Bob and Max in 2013, after their mother was admitted to rehab for the 21st time. She relinquished custody after claiming the boys were violent towards her daughters.
In 2014, Brooke regained custody of the boys, who are now six.
HIV, which affects the immune system and can develop into AIDS if left untreated, is spread through the bodily fluid of infected people.
For more information on HIV in New Zealand, visit the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.
