WILMINGTON, Del. — William "Bill" Stevenson, 77, the ex-husband of former U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, was arrested Monday, February 2, 2026, and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson, 64, according to authorities in New Castle County, Delaware.
The charge stems from an incident on December 28, 2025, when New Castle County police responded to a reported domestic dispute at the couple's residence in the 1300 block of Idlewood Road in the Oak Hill neighborhood near Elsmere, just outside Wilmington. Officers found Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts by first responders, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was subsequently turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy.
In a news release issued Tuesday, February 3, 2026, New Castle County police stated that the arrest followed an "extensive weeks-long investigation" by detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit, in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Justice. A grand jury returned a one-count indictment on February 2, charging Stevenson with first-degree murder, alleging that he "did intentionally cause the death" of his wife.
Detectives took Stevenson into custody at his home without incident. He was arraigned and remanded to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington after failing to post $500,000 cash bail. It remains unclear whether he has retained legal counsel.
Linda Stevenson was remembered in her obituary as a deeply family-oriented woman, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a passionate Philadelphia Eagles fan. She had founded a small bookkeeping business in her later years, where she built strong relationships with clients who often became friends. The obituary highlighted her strength, resilience, and love for her family and friends, noting that she enjoyed cheering for her team at home or with friends at local spots like Outback Steakhouse. Born on April 29, 1961, she passed away unexpectedly on December 29, 2025 (with some reports citing December 28 as the date of the incident).
William Stevenson was previously married to Jill Biden (then Jill Jacobs) from 1970 until their divorce in 1975. The couple had no children together. Jill Biden later married then-Senator Joe Biden in 1977. Stevenson's background includes past business ventures in Delaware, such as owning the popular venue The Stone Balloon in Newark during earlier decades.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed specific details about the cause of death or the nature of the alleged domestic dispute beyond the initial response and the subsequent murder charge. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information on potential motives or evidence has been released by police or prosecutors.
The Delaware Attorney General's Office confirmed Stevenson's prior marriage to Jill Biden through a spokesperson. As of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, neither Jill Biden nor the Biden family has issued a public statement regarding the case.
The incident has drawn national attention due to Stevenson's connection to the former first lady, though the events appear unrelated to her or her current family. New Castle County police emphasized that the charge resulted from a thorough review of evidence presented to the grand jury.
Stevenson remains in custody pending further court proceedings. First-degree murder in Delaware carries the possibility of life imprisonment without parole upon conviction.
This case underscores the tragic outcome of what began as a domestic call, highlighting ongoing concerns about domestic violence. Support resources for those experiencing domestic issues are available through local hotlines and organizations in Delaware.
