Jill Biden’s ex-husband William “Bill” Stevenson charged in wife’s killing
William “Bill” Stevenson, the first husband of former first lady Jill Biden, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson, after a reported domestic dispute at their home in the Wilmington, Delaware area. The charge follows a grand jury indictment and a weeks-long investigation that began after police responded late at night on Dec. 28, 2025, and found Linda Stevenson unresponsive.
Stevenson, 77, remains jailed in Delaware after failing to post bail. Jill Biden and former President Joe Biden have not publicly commented on the case.
What prosecutors allege
The first-degree murder charge stems from an indictment returned by a grand jury in New Castle County. The case centers on events inside the couple’s home after police were called for a domestic dispute shortly after 11:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 28, 2025.
Officers found Linda Stevenson, 64, unresponsive in the living room. Life-saving efforts at the scene were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead. Investigators have not released a detailed public account of what led to the fatal incident, and a specific motive has not been publicly detailed.
An autopsy was performed by state forensic officials as part of the investigation. Authorities have said the matter was investigated over several weeks before the indictment and arrest.
Arrest, bail, and court status
After the indictment, investigators took Stevenson into custody without incident. He was arraigned and ordered held while the case proceeds.
A judge set $500,000 cash bail. Stevenson has been held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington after being unable to post bail. A next court date has not been consistently published in public summaries, and the timeline for pretrial motions and hearings will depend on the court calendar.
Key dates in the case
| Date (ET) | Development |
|---|---|
| Dec. 28, 2025 (after 11:00 p.m.) | Police respond to a reported domestic dispute; Linda Stevenson is found unresponsive. |
| Early Jan. 2026 | Investigation continues; autopsy and forensic review proceed. |
| Feb. 2, 2026 | Grand jury indictment returned; Stevenson is taken into custody and arraigned. |
| Feb. 3–4, 2026 | Stevenson remains jailed after failing to post $500,000 bail. |
Jill Biden’s connection and public profile
Jill Biden was married to William Stevenson from 1970 to 1975, before marrying Joe Biden in 1977. Stevenson has been described in public records and past profiles as a Delaware businessman, including ties to a well-known Newark, Delaware music venue.
That history has driven public interest, but the case itself is being handled as a local criminal matter centered on the death of Linda Stevenson and the evidence presented to the grand jury. Officials have not suggested any involvement by the Biden family beyond the biographical connection.
What comes next
The next phase will likely include routine pretrial steps: bail review requests (if filed), the exchange of evidence between prosecutors and defense, and motions that can shape what a jury may hear. If the case proceeds to trial, prosecutors will need to prove the elements of first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt; the defense may challenge the state’s timeline, forensic conclusions, witness accounts, or intent.
Because key investigative details have not been fully disclosed publicly, several points remain unclear at this time, including what authorities believe precipitated the fatal incident and which specific pieces of evidence were decisive for the indictment.
Sources consulted: Associated Press, ABC News, PBS NewsHour, The Guardian
