William Stevenson Homicide Case Linked to Jill Biden's Past — Family Left Reeling

Former United States first lady Dr. Jill Biden's ex-husband, William Stevenson was arrested and indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson. Stevenson and Biden were married until their divorce in 1975.

Authorities on Tuesday said 77-year-old William Stevenson was taken into custody from his 1300 block of Idlewood Road home on Tuesday, 2 February. He was then transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters where he was charged with one felony count of murder in the first degree, per the New Castle County Police News.

In a report by The Guardian, New Castle County Police officers responded to a domestic dispute at the Stevensons' home on 28 December 2025. Linda was subsequently found unresponsive in the living room of their home, and though officers tried to revive her, she was declared dead.

Stevenson's Arrest and Murder Charge

Officers from the New Castle County Division of Police responded to a domestic dispute report at the Stevensons' residence in 1300 Idlewood Road in Oak Hill on Sunday, 28 December 2025 at around 11:16 p.m.

Entry to their home revealed Linda Stevenson in the living room. As Linda was unresponsive, the police tried to revive her, but she was later pronounced dead, according to the police press statement. Her body was then turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy. The autopsy will help determine the manner of Linda's death.

According to a report by PBS News, Delaware Attorney General's spokesperson Caroline Harrison confirmed William Stevenson is Dr. Jill Biden's former husband. A response via email sent by a spokesperson at the former president and first lady's office to PBS News also revealed Dr. Jill Biden has declined to comment on the murder charge against her ex-husband.

The 64-year-old from Elsmere, Delaware is survived by her daughter Christina, granddaughter Ciara, nephew Jason, and sister Cathy, according to her obituary. Her family and friends will remember Linda as 'deeply family-oriented and treasured time spent making memories, especially on family vacations with her daughter and granddaughter.'

'Linda will be remembered as tenacious, kind-hearted, and fiercely loyal. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering love for her family and friends will never be forgotten, and her absence will be felt deeply by all who knew her,' the obituary said. Linda's family have yet to give a statement on the murder charges against her husband.

On his arraignment, William Stevenson was taken to the Howard Young Correctional Institution on a $500,000 (roughly £365,000) bail bond, which, according to the police, he failed to post. Whether or not Stevenson has legal representation is still undetermined.

William and Jill

William Stevenson, who founded The Stone Balloon Club, a famous music venue in Newark, in the early 70's, and then University of Delaware 18-year-old student Jill Tracy Jacobs got married in 1970 and got divorced five years later. Jill Tracy Jacobs then married Delaware Senator Joe Biden who served as the United States President from 2021 to 2025.

At the time of their divorce in 1975, Jill and William did not have any children together. When Jill married former US president Joe Biden, he had two children — Beau and Hunter Biden. Jill became their stepmother following the marriage. In 1981, Jill and the former president had their first child together, Ashley, per Forbes.