Former First Lady Jill Biden's Ex-Husband Charged with Wife's Murder

William Stevenson indicted for first-degree murder of his wife Linda in Delaware

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Former first lady Jill Biden's ex-husband, William 'Bill' Stevenson, has been charged with the murder of his wife Linda Stevenson following an 'extensive weeks-long investigation' by police in Delaware. Stevenson, 77, was indicted by a grand jury on first-degree murder charges and is being held on $500,000 bail after police responded to a reported domestic dispute at the couple's home in late December.

Why it matters

The case has garnered national attention due to Stevenson's connection to Jill Biden, the current First Lady. It also raises questions about domestic violence, the criminal justice system's handling of such cases, and the broader issue of spousal homicide.

The details

On December 28, police responded to a reported domestic dispute at the Stevensons' home in the Wilmington community of Oak Hill. There, they found Linda Stevenson, 64, unresponsive on the living room floor. Her husband, William Stevenson, had called 911. Detectives later took Stevenson into custody at his home without incident, and he has since been arraigned and is being held in jail after failing to post $500,000 bail.

  • On December 28, police responded to a reported domestic dispute at the Stevensons' home.
  • On Monday, a grand jury in New Castle County indicted William Stevenson with first-degree murder.

The players

William 'Bill' Stevenson

The 77-year-old former husband of Jill Biden, who has been charged with the first-degree murder of his wife Linda Stevenson.

Linda Stevenson

The 64-year-old wife of William Stevenson, who was found unresponsive in the couple's home and later pronounced dead.

Jill Biden

The current First Lady of the United States, who was previously married to William Stevenson for five years before divorcing in 1975.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow William Stevenson to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for thorough investigations and appropriate legal actions to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable, even in high-profile situations involving public figures.