Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband William Stevenson Charged With First-Degree Murder

William Stevenson, the first husband of former First Lady Jill Biden, has been formally charged with first-degree murder following the suspicious death of his second wife in Delaware. Authorities allege that the 77-year-old intentionally killed Linda Stevenson, though specific details regarding the motive or exact cause of death remain under seal.

The New Castle County Police Department announced the arrest on Wednesday morning after a grand jury handed down the indictment earlier this week. Stevenson was taken into custody at his Wilmington residence without incident and is currently being held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $500,000 cash bail.

The investigation began on December 28, 2025, when emergency responders were dispatched to the couple's home in the Oak Hill neighborhood for a reported domestic dispute. Officers discovered 64-year-old Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room, and she was pronounced dead shortly after paramedics arrived on the scene.

Detectives spent several weeks coordinating with the Delaware Department of Justice and forensic experts to establish the evidence necessary for the first-degree murder charge. While the final autopsy results have not been released to the public, investigators determined the manner of death was homicide based on their findings.

Stevenson was married to Jill Biden for five years in the early 1970s before they divorced, and she subsequently married Joe Biden in 1977. Aside from his connection to the former First Lady, Stevenson was a well-known local businessman who owned the iconic Stone Balloon music hall in Newark.

The office of the former President and First Lady has declined to comment on the serious legal troubles facing Jill Biden’s former spouse. A representative for the family indicated they would not be issuing any public statements regarding the arrest or the tragic death of Linda Stevenson.

Linda Stevenson is remembered by her community as a devoted mother and grandmother who successfully operated her own bookkeeping service. Her obituary described her as a fierce and loyal friend who loved running and was an avid supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The arrest has sent shockwaves through the quiet Wilmington suburb where the couple lived, as neighbors react to the sudden escalation of what was initially thought to be a medical emergency. Stevenson now faces a lengthy legal battle, with a first-degree murder conviction in Delaware carrying a mandatory sentence of life in prison.