Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband Indicted on Murder Charge After Wife’s Death in Delaware

In a breaking news development, William “Bill” Stevenson — the ex-husband of former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden — has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his current wife, authorities in Delaware announced this week.

LAW AND GOVERNMENT

2/3/20262 min read

What Happened: Overview of the Alleged Crime

According to police and official reports, 64-year-old Linda Stevenson was found unresponsive inside her Wilmington, Delaware home following a late-night call about a domestic dispute on December 28, 2025. Responding officers attempted life-saving measures, but she later was pronounced dead at the scene.

After an extensive, weeks-long investigation, a New Castle County grand jury returned a first-degree murder indictment against 77-year-old William Stevenson on February 2, 2026. He was taken into custody without incident, arraigned, and is being held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to post a $500,000 cash bail.

Authorities have not yet released specifics about the cause or manner of Linda Stevenson’s death, and it remains unclear whether Stevenson has secured legal representation. Officials say the investigation is ongoing.

Connection to Jill Biden

Stevenson and Jill Biden were married from 1970 to 1975 when she was a student at the University of Delaware and he was in his early 20s. They divorced after five years, and she later married then-Senator Joe Biden in 1977, who would go on to become President of the United States.

While the couple’s former relationship is part of the public record, Dr. Biden has not publicly commented on the recent murder charge, and representatives for the Bidens declined to respond to media requests for comment as of the latest updates.

More Context on the Case

  • Domestic dispute call: Police were notified late on December 28 about a reported altercation at the Stevensons’ home in the Oak Hill community of Wilmington.

  • Obituary and family: Linda Stevenson, remembered by family and friends as a mother and grandmother, was noted in her obituary for her personal qualities and community connections; her husband’s name was not mentioned. A social media post questioning that omission was reportedly deleted after drawing attention.

  • Life history: William Stevenson previously owned The Stone Balloon, a well-known Wilmington music venue that hosted notable acts over the years. His relationship and marriage history with Jill Biden are part of multiple retrospective news reports about the case.

Reaction and Next Steps

Local law enforcement has not disclosed details on motive or any additional suspects. An autopsy was reportedly conducted by the Delaware Division of Forensic Science, though cause of death has not been publicly released. A spokesperson for the Delaware Attorney General’s office confirmed Stevenson’s indictment but offered no further comment on the investigation.

Given that this case involves a matter of public interest due to the historic prominence of Dr. Jill Biden — and because many details of the investigation are not yet released — media outlets are closely following updates as they unfold.