Ex‑Husband of Former First Lady Indicted for First‑Degree Murder of Wife
Updated (6 articles)
Indictment and Arrest Follow Week‑Long Investigation Delaware grand jury indicted 77‑year‑old William Stevenson on Feb. 2, 2026 for first‑degree murder of his wife Linda Stevenson, and he was taken into custody the same day [3][4][5]. He was arraigned, ordered to post $500,000 bail, and placed at Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to post the bond [1][2][6]. The indictment concluded a week‑long probe by the Delaware Department of Justice [1][2][3].
December 28 Domestic Dispute Leads to Fatality Police responded to a domestic‑disturbance call at the Stevensons’ Wilmington home on Dec. 28, 2025, finding Linda Stevenson, 64, unresponsive on the living‑room floor [2][3][6]. She could not be revived despite life‑saving measures; the cause of death remains under autopsy [6]. Linda owned BMB Bookkeeping, was a mother, grandmother, and avid Philadelphia Eagles fan, and her obituary omitted any mention of her husband [1][4][5].
Stevenson’s Past Ties to Jill Biden Highlighted William Stevenson married Jill Biden in 1970 when she was 18; the marriage ended in divorce in 1975 [3][4][6]. He later founded the Stone Balloon music venue near the University of Delaware, a well‑known local bar [1][5][6]. In a 2024 Newsmax interview he described the divorce as “contentious” and called Jill “bitter” and “nasty” [1][2][5].
Legal Proceedings Emphasize Bail and Representation Issues The grand‑jury indictment came after detectives gathered evidence for a week, after which Stevenson was charged with a single felony count of first‑degree murder [1][2][3]. He was ordered to post $500,000 cash bail but remained detained when he could not meet the requirement [1][4][5]. It is not yet known whether he has retained counsel [2][4].
Biden Family Declines Comment While Officials Confirm Connection Delaware Attorney General spokesperson Caroline Harrison confirmed Stevenson’s former marriage to Jill Biden [2]. Both Jill Biden’s office and the Biden family issued statements declining to comment on the case [2][4][5]. No public remarks have been made by President Joe Biden regarding the indictment [5].
Sources
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1.
AP: Former Jill Biden Husband Charged with Killing Wife in Delaware Home: Details indictment, bail, Stevenson’s past, and Linda’s obituary, emphasizing the week‑long DOJ probe
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2.
King5: Former Jill Biden Husband Charged with Killing Wife in Delaware: Highlights indictment, bail, Delaware AG’s confirmation of the Jill Biden link, and the family’s silence
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3.
WBNS: Delaware Grand Jury Indicts William Stevenson, Jill Biden’s Ex‑Husband, for First‑Degree Murder: Provides indictment date, arrest details, and background on Stevenson’s marriage and venue ownership
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4.
CNN: Jill Biden’s ex‑husband indicted for murder in wife’s death: Focuses on indictment, arraignment, and lack of comment from the Biden office
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5.
Newsweek: Former Jill Biden Ex‑Husband Bill Stevenson Charged with First‑Degree Murder in Delaware: Stresses arrest, bail, Stevenson’s criticism of the Bidens, and venue ownership
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6.
BBC: Former First Lady’s Ex‑Husband Charged with Murder: Reports charge, bail, December 28 domestic dispute, and Stevenson’s marriage to Jill Biden
Timeline
1970 – Jill Biden (then Jill) marries William Stevenson, a 23‑year‑old former college football player, beginning a five‑year marriage that ends in 1975 [1][5].
1975 – William Stevenson and Jill Biden divorce after a “contentious” split; Stevenson later calls Jill “bitter” and “nasty” in a 2024 interview [4][6].
Early 1970s – Stevenson founds the Stone Balloon music venue near the University of Delaware, which becomes a popular bar for students and local bands [1][5].
2024 – In a Newsmax interview, Stevenson disparages his ex‑spouse, describing the divorce as “contentious” and labeling Jill Biden “bitter” and “nasty,” signaling his ongoing antagonism toward the Biden family [4][6].
Dec 28, 2025 – Police respond to a domestic‑dispute call at the Stevensons’ Wilmington home; officers find Linda Stevenson, 64, unresponsive on the living‑room floor, attempt life‑saving measures that fail, and later pronounce her dead at the scene [1][4][5].
Late Dec 2025 – An autopsy is ordered to determine Linda’s cause of death, and detectives from the Delaware Department of Justice launch a week‑long investigation into the incident [1][5][6].
Jan 2026 (week‑long) – Delaware DOJ investigators gather evidence, leading to a grand‑jury presentation that results in an indictment the following month [5][6].
Feb 2, 2026 – A Delaware grand jury returns an indictment charging William Stevenson with first‑degree murder in Linda’s death; the indictment cites the Dec 28 domestic dispute as the alleged crime [5][4].
Feb 3, 2026 – Stevenson is arrested, arraigned, and ordered to remain in custody at Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $500,000 cash bail; he is held without comment from the Biden family, whose office declines to speak on the matter [2][3][6].
Feb 3, 2026 – The Biden post‑presidential office issues a brief statement declining comment on the arrest, while Jill Biden herself does not publicly address the case [2][3].
Feb 2026 (future) – Stevenson faces upcoming criminal proceedings for first‑degree murder, with a trial date to be set by the Delaware courts (not yet scheduled) [5][6].
External resources (3 links)
- https://nccpdnews.com/2025/12/30/death-investigation-in-oak-hill/ (cited 2 times)
- https://nccpdnews.com/2026/02/03/death-investigation-in-oak-hill-update/ (cited 2 times)
- https://www.delawarefuneral.com/obituaries/linda-stevenson (cited 1 times)