Based on research conducted after his death, Røed is believed to have contracted HIV in Cameroon in 1961 or 1962, where he was known to have been sexually active with many African women, including prostitutes.
Forskning, som gjorts efter Røeds död, tyder på att han smittades av HIV i Kamerun 1961 eller 1962, där man vet att han hade varit sexuellt aktiv med flera afrikanska kvinnor, inklusive prostituerade.