Jill Biden former husband charged in Delaware domestic homicide case

WILMINGTON, Del. (JN) – A Delaware man who was previously married to former first lady Jill Biden has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife following a reported domestic dispute at their home in Wilmington. Authorities say the incident occurred late on Dec. 28 and followed a weekslong investigation by state detectives.

William Stevenson, 77, was indicted by a grand jury and remains in custody after failing to post $500,000 bail. Prosecutors allege he killed his wife, Linda Stevenson, 64, inside the couple’s residence after police were called to the property shortly before midnight.

The case has drawn national attention because of Stevenson’s past marriage to Jill Biden, though officials emphasized the charges relate solely to the alleged domestic incident now before the courts.

Police response and investigation timeline

According to a prior police release, officers responded to a call reporting a domestic dispute at the Wilmington address shortly after 11 p.m. on Dec. 28. Upon arrival, they found a woman unresponsive in the living room. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Delaware Department of Justice said detectives conducted an investigation that extended over several weeks before presenting evidence to a grand jury, which returned an indictment charging Stevenson with first-degree murder.

He was taken into custody Monday and remains jailed. It was not immediately clear whether he has retained legal counsel.

Prosecutors have not publicly detailed the specific circumstances that led to the fatal confrontation, and court documents outlining the allegations were not immediately released.

Victim remembered by family and community

Linda Stevenson operated a bookkeeping business and was described in her obituary as a family-oriented mother and grandmother. She was also noted as an avid Philadelphia Eagles supporter. The obituary did not mention her husband.

Local residents described the incident as shocking for the neighborhood, where serious violent crime is relatively uncommon. Investigators have not indicated whether there were prior reports of domestic disturbances at the address.

Past ties to Jill Biden

William Stevenson was married to Jill Biden from 1970 to 1975, before she later married then-U.S. Sen. Joe Biden in 1977. Joe Biden served as U.S. president from January 2021 to January 2025.

Caroline Harrison, a spokesperson for the Delaware Attorney General’s office, confirmed in a phone call that the defendant is Jill Biden’s former husband. A spokesperson for the former president and first lady said Jill Biden declined to comment.

In a 2024 interview with the conservative outlet Newsmax, Stevenson criticized Jill Biden and described their divorce as contentious. Those remarks are unrelated to the criminal charges now before the court.

Background and public profile

Stevenson was known locally as the founder of the Stone Balloon, a popular music venue in Newark, Delaware, established in the early 1970s. The venue became well known in the region’s live music scene for decades.

Authorities have not suggested any connection between Stevenson’s public profile and the events under investigation. Law enforcement officials have emphasized that the case is being treated as a domestic homicide matter subject to standard judicial process.

Legal process ahead

A first-degree murder charge in Delaware carries the potential for life imprisonment upon conviction. Stevenson is expected to face arraignment proceedings in the coming days, where formal charges will be read in court.

As with all criminal defendants, he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Further details are expected to emerge as court filings become public and prosecutors outline their case.