ill Biden’s Ex-Husband William Stevenson Charged With Murder of His Wife in Delaware

William “Bill” Stevenson, once married to former first lady Dr. Jill Biden in the 1970s, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his current wife, 64-year-old Linda Stevenson, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Stevenson, 77, was taken into custody Monday, February 2, 2026, after a grand jury indictment in New Castle County Superior Court alleged he intentionally caused the death of his wife following an incident at their home on December 28, 2025, police said.

Police were called to the couple’s residence in the Oak Hill neighborhood of Wilmington late that night after reports of a domestic dispute. Upon arrival, officers found Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room and administered life-saving measures, but she was later pronounced dead.

Investigators said the homicide charge stemmed from an extensive, weeks-long investigation by detectives from the Delaware Department of Justice and New Castle County police. Stevenson was arrested at his home without incident and arraigned, remaining in custody at the Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $500,000 bail.

Linda Stevenson was remembered in her obituary and by local acquaintances as a mother and grandmother, a Philadelphia Eagles fan and the founder of a bookkeeping business. Notably, her obituary did not mention her husband, a fact highlighted in local media reports.

Stevenson’s connection to Jill Biden dates back to the early 1970s. The couple married in February 1970 when Jill Tracy Jacobs was 18 and a student at the University of Delaware, and divorced in 1975. Jill Biden went on to marry then-Senator Joe Biden in 1977.

During their marriage, Stevenson was known locally as a social figure in Delaware and the founder of the Stone Balloon, a popular Newark music venue that hosted notable acts over the years.

At this stage, authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive, and detectives have not commented on whether Stevenson has obtained legal representation. The Delaware Attorney General’s office confirmed the indictment but declined to provide further details.

A spokesperson for the Bidens’ office said Jill Biden had no immediate comment on the charges. News of the indictment has sparked public attention due to Stevenson’s past connection to the former first lady, though the case centers on a tragic domestic incident that occurred more than 50 years after their marriage.