Topline: William Stevenson was indicted by a grand jury in connection with a December domestic dispute that left his wife dead.
Published: February 5, 2026 3:38 pm ET
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William Stevenson (via New Castle Police Department)
WILMINGTON, DE — New Castle County police arrested William Stevenson, the former husband of Jill Biden, on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his current wife.
Stevenson, 77, was taken into custody following a grand jury indictment. The charges stem from a Dec. 28 domestic dispute at a residence in the Wilmington area, according to NBC News.
Officers responding to the initial call found 64-year-old Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room. Police said officers attempted lifesaving measures at the scene, but she died shortly after their arrival.
The Delaware Division of Forensic Science conducted an autopsy after the woman’s body was turned over to the agency in December. Authorities did not release a specific cause of death in the statement announcing the arrest, the AP News reported.
Police said the grand jury indictment followed an extensive weekslong investigation. Stevenson is being held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution after he failed to post $500,000 cash bail.
It was not immediately clear if Stevenson has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. Records show Stevenson was processed on the felony charge Feb. 3.
Representatives for Joe Biden and Jill Biden did not respond to requests for comment regarding the arrest. The couple has not issued a formal statement on the matter.
The current first lady, then Jill Tracy Jacobs, married Stevenson in February 1970. She was 18 and a student at the University of Delaware at the time, while Stevenson was 23.
During their marriage, Stevenson opened The Stone Balloon Club in Newark. The venue became a well-known college bar that hosted musical acts including Bruce Springsteen and the Allman Brothers Band.
The couple remained married for five years. Jill Biden met then Sen. Joe Biden in March 1975, and a civil divorce from Stevenson was granted in May 1975.
Court records indicate Jill Biden sought a half-share ownership in the Stone Balloon during the divorce proceedings. That request was denied by the court.
Linda Stevenson was a business owner who founded a bookkeeping firm later in her life. Her obituary described her as a family-oriented person and a supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NBC News.
New Castle County police have not released further details regarding the evidence presented to the grand jury. Stevenson remains in state custody pending further court appearances.
The investigation into the circumstances of the December domestic call remains active. Police have requested that anyone with information regarding the case contact Delaware authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband Arrested for Wife’s Murder
William Stevenson was indicted by a grand jury in connection with a December domestic dispute that left his wife dead.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 5, 2026 3:38 pm ET
William Stevenson (via New Castle Police Department)
WILMINGTON, DE — New Castle County police arrested William Stevenson, the former husband of Jill Biden, on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his current wife.
Stevenson, 77, was taken into custody following a grand jury indictment. The charges stem from a Dec. 28 domestic dispute at a residence in the Wilmington area, according to NBC News.
Officers responding to the initial call found 64-year-old Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room. Police said officers attempted lifesaving measures at the scene, but she died shortly after their arrival.
The Delaware Division of Forensic Science conducted an autopsy after the woman’s body was turned over to the agency in December. Authorities did not release a specific cause of death in the statement announcing the arrest, the AP News reported.
Police said the grand jury indictment followed an extensive weekslong investigation. Stevenson is being held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution after he failed to post $500,000 cash bail.
It was not immediately clear if Stevenson has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. Records show Stevenson was processed on the felony charge Feb. 3.
Representatives for Joe Biden and Jill Biden did not respond to requests for comment regarding the arrest. The couple has not issued a formal statement on the matter.
The current first lady, then Jill Tracy Jacobs, married Stevenson in February 1970. She was 18 and a student at the University of Delaware at the time, while Stevenson was 23.
During their marriage, Stevenson opened The Stone Balloon Club in Newark. The venue became a well-known college bar that hosted musical acts including Bruce Springsteen and the Allman Brothers Band.
The couple remained married for five years. Jill Biden met then Sen. Joe Biden in March 1975, and a civil divorce from Stevenson was granted in May 1975.
Court records indicate Jill Biden sought a half-share ownership in the Stone Balloon during the divorce proceedings. That request was denied by the court.
Linda Stevenson was a business owner who founded a bookkeeping firm later in her life. Her obituary described her as a family-oriented person and a supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NBC News.
New Castle County police have not released further details regarding the evidence presented to the grand jury. Stevenson remains in state custody pending further court appearances.
The investigation into the circumstances of the December domestic call remains active. Police have requested that anyone with information regarding the case contact Delaware authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband Arrested for Wife’s Murder
William Stevenson was indicted by a grand jury in connection with a December domestic dispute that left his wife dead.
By Kate Byrd
Published: February 5, 2026 3:38 pm ET
William Stevenson (via New Castle Police Department)
WILMINGTON, DE — New Castle County police arrested William Stevenson, the former husband of Jill Biden, on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his current wife.
Stevenson, 77, was taken into custody following a grand jury indictment. The charges stem from a Dec. 28 domestic dispute at a residence in the Wilmington area, according to NBC News.
Officers responding to the initial call found 64-year-old Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room. Police said officers attempted lifesaving measures at the scene, but she died shortly after their arrival.
The Delaware Division of Forensic Science conducted an autopsy after the woman’s body was turned over to the agency in December. Authorities did not release a specific cause of death in the statement announcing the arrest, the AP News reported.
Police said the grand jury indictment followed an extensive weekslong investigation. Stevenson is being held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution after he failed to post $500,000 cash bail.
It was not immediately clear if Stevenson has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf. Records show Stevenson was processed on the felony charge Feb. 3.
Representatives for Joe Biden and Jill Biden did not respond to requests for comment regarding the arrest. The couple has not issued a formal statement on the matter.
The current first lady, then Jill Tracy Jacobs, married Stevenson in February 1970. She was 18 and a student at the University of Delaware at the time, while Stevenson was 23.
During their marriage, Stevenson opened The Stone Balloon Club in Newark. The venue became a well-known college bar that hosted musical acts including Bruce Springsteen and the Allman Brothers Band.
The couple remained married for five years. Jill Biden met then Sen. Joe Biden in March 1975, and a civil divorce from Stevenson was granted in May 1975.
Court records indicate Jill Biden sought a half-share ownership in the Stone Balloon during the divorce proceedings. That request was denied by the court.
Linda Stevenson was a business owner who founded a bookkeeping firm later in her life. Her obituary described her as a family-oriented person and a supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NBC News.
New Castle County police have not released further details regarding the evidence presented to the grand jury. Stevenson remains in state custody pending further court appearances.
The investigation into the circumstances of the December domestic call remains active. Police have requested that anyone with information regarding the case contact Delaware authorities.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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