Jill Biden's Ex-Husband Faces First-Degree Murder Charge in Wife's Killing, No Bail Granted

Once married to former first lady Jill Biden, William Stevenson, 77, is being held without bail after prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, a case that has drawn national attention while leaving a grieving family urging the public to focus on the life lost rather than a decades-old political connection.

First-Degree Murder Charge Filed in Delaware

The Delaware man has been charged by grand jury indictment with the first-degree murder of his wife, Linda Stevenson, 64. Authorities said he remains in custody after failing to post $500,000 (roughly £367,000) bail. Court records made public so far do not list a defence lawyer, and charging documents detailing the allegations have not been released.

Investigators have not disclosed a motive. The Delaware Department of Justice said the charge followed a weeks-long investigation by detectives. A spokesperson for former US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden said Jill Biden declined to comment.

Police Response and Timeline of Events

As cited by The Associated Press, police were called to the couple's home in Wilmington shortly after 11:00 p.m. on 28 December following a report of a domestic dispute. Officers found a woman unresponsive in the living room. Life-saving measures were attempted but she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a prior police release.

Detectives worked the case over several weeks before presenting evidence to a grand jury, which returned the indictment this week. Officials have said the investigation remains active, with further details expected as the case moves through the courts.

Who Was Linda Stevenson

Linda Stevenson ran a bookkeeping business and was remembered by family as a devoted mother and grandmother. Her obituary described her as family-oriented and a passionate Philadelphia Eagles fan. In a Facebook post, her daughter, Christine Mae, said her mother was an avid reader and dedicated runner who took part in monthly 5km (3 mile) runs to support local charities.

'One hug from her and all your worries would disappear,' Mae wrote. 'The pain of losing her is paralysing and the emptiness in my heart is an abyss.' Mae later said her mother 'deserves her own story', expressing frustration that coverage had centred on her husband's past marriage rather than on Linda Stevenson's life.

Legal Process and What Comes Next

Stevenson remains jailed as the case proceeds through Delaware courts. Prosecutors have not outlined the evidence underpinning the first-degree murder charge, and it is not yet clear whether the defendant has retained legal representation. Court records indicate no defence counsel is currently listed.

Under Delaware law, first-degree murder is the most serious homicide charge and carries severe penalties if a conviction is secured. Pre-trial hearings are expected to set the timetable for motions, evidence disclosure and future court dates.

Background: Past Marriage to Jill Biden

Stevenson was married to Jill Biden from 1970 to 1975. Jill Biden later married Joe Biden in 1977. In her 2019 memoir, Jill Biden wrote about meeting Stevenson while she was a student at the University of Delaware, describing him as charismatic and entrepreneurial, and reflected on the marriage ending as they grew in different directions.

Stevenson founded the Stone Balloon, a well-known music venue in Newark, Delaware, in the early 1970s. In a 2024 interview with Newsmax, he criticised Jill Biden and described their divorce as contentious. Representatives for Jill Biden declined to comment on the current case.