Quick Read
- William Stevenson, the first husband of former First Lady Jill Biden, was charged with first-degree murder.
- He is accused of killing his current wife, Linda Stevenson, 64, in their Wilmington, Delaware, home in December.
- Stevenson, 77, was arrested Monday and is held on $500,000 cash bail.
- The charges follow a weekslong investigation by the Delaware Department of Justice.
- A spokesperson for the former First Lady Jill Biden declined to comment on the matter.
WILMINGTON, Del. (Azat TV) – William Stevenson, the first husband of former First Lady Jill Biden, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his current wife, Linda Stevenson, at their Delaware home in late December. The charges, announced Tuesday, February 3, 2026, follow a weekslong investigation by the Delaware Department of Justice and bring a high-profile legal development to a case involving a figure from the former First Lady’s personal history.
Stevenson, 77, of Wilmington, was arrested Monday, February 2, on first-degree murder charges. He is accused of killing Linda Stevenson, 64, on December 28, 2025. Police were called to their home after 11 p.m. for a reported domestic dispute and found a woman unresponsive in the living room. Despite life-saving measures, she died at the scene, according to initial police reports. The New Castle County police did not provide specific details on the cause of death, but the body was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy.
Investigation Leads to Murder Charges for Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband
The grand jury indictment against William Stevenson came after an extensive investigation conducted by detectives from the Delaware Department of Justice. Caroline Harrison, a spokesperson for the Delaware Attorney General, confirmed Stevenson’s identity as the former husband of Jill Biden. Stevenson remains in custody at the Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to post a $500,000 cash bail. It was not immediately clear if he has retained legal counsel.
Linda Stevenson, described in her obituary as a “deeply family-oriented” mother and grandmother, founded a bookkeeping business in the final years of her life. She was also known as a devoted Philadelphia Eagles fan. Her obituary did not mention her husband, William Stevenson, but highlighted her tenacious, kind-hearted, and fiercely loyal nature, noting her strength, resilience, and unwavering love for her family and friends.
Jill Biden’s Office Declines Comment on Stevenson Arrest
A spokesperson for the office of former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden declined to comment on William Stevenson’s arrest and the subsequent charges, according to an emailed response received by news outlets. Jill Biden and William Stevenson were married from 1970 to 1975. Jill Tracy Jacobs, as she was then known, was 18 and a student at the University of Delaware when she married Stevenson, then 23, in February 1970.
During their marriage, William Stevenson became known for opening The Stone Balloon Club in Newark, Delaware, near the University of Delaware. The venue gained significant popularity as a college bar, hosting renowned musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, and The Allman Brothers Band over several decades. Their divorce was granted in May 1975. In a 2024 interview with Newsmax, Stevenson had publicly criticized Jill Biden, describing their divorce as contentious and labeling her as “bitter” and “nasty.” Jill Biden later married U.S. Senator Joe Biden in 1977.
Legal Proceedings Underway for William Stevenson
The case is ongoing, with Stevenson awaiting further legal proceedings. The lack of publicly released details regarding the cause or manner of Linda Stevenson’s death underscores the confidentiality often maintained during grand jury investigations. Authorities have emphasized that the indictment is the result of a thorough and detailed inquiry into the December incident. The legal system in Delaware will now proceed with the formal prosecution of the murder charge.
The charging of a former spouse of a high-profile political figure often draws significant public attention, highlighting the enduring impact of personal connections even years after a relationship has ended, and underscoring the legal system’s impartial pursuit of justice regardless of individuals’ past associations.