Jill Biden's Ex-Husband Charged With Murder After Wife Found Dead in Home

William 'Bill' Stevenson, 77, was arrested and charged in the death of his 64-year-old wife Linda Stevenson.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:23pm

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The ex-husband of former First Lady Jill Biden has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife following a reported domestic disturbance in Delaware. William 'Bill' Stevenson, 77, was arrested on Monday and charged in the death of 64-year-old Linda Stevenson, according to New Castle County police.

Why it matters

The case involving Jill Biden's ex-husband has drawn significant public attention due to his connection to the current First Family. Domestic violence incidents and homicides continue to be a major public safety concern, especially among older adults.

The details

Officers responded to a domestic dispute at a home in Oak Hill, Wilmington, on December 28, where Linda Stevenson was found unresponsive in the living room. Despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Stevenson initially cooperated with authorities and was not charged at the time. Following a month-long investigation, police arrested him at the same residence where his wife's body was discovered. He is currently being held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $500,000 bail.

  • On December 28, police responded to a domestic dispute at the Stevenson home.
  • On January 28, police arrested William 'Bill' Stevenson and charged him with first-degree murder.

The players

William 'Bill' Stevenson

The 77-year-old ex-husband of former First Lady Jill Biden, who has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his 64-year-old wife Linda Stevenson.

Linda Stevenson

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

Jill Biden

The current First Lady of the United States, who was previously married to William 'Bill' Stevenson from 1970 to 1975 before their divorce.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow William 'Bill' Stevenson to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for greater resources and support to protect vulnerable individuals, especially older adults. It also raises questions about the lasting impact of past relationships on public figures like the First Lady.