77-year-old Delaware businessman William “Bill” Stevenson held on $500,000 bail following a weeks-long investigation into the December death of his wife, Linda.
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE — William “Bill” Stevenson, the ex-husband of former First Lady Jill Biden, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his 64-year-old wife, Linda Stevenson.
The arrest on Monday follows an intensive investigation into a domestic dispute that occurred late last year at the couple’s home in New Castle County [00:12].
The Incident
The investigation began on December 28, 2025, when police responded to a domestic dispute call at a residence on Idlewood Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered Linda Stevenson unresponsive on the living room floor [00:34]. She was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
After a weeks-long probe by local authorities, William Stevenson, 77, was taken into custody on Monday at the same residence where the incident occurred [00:48].
Legal Proceedings
Stevenson appeared in court where he was charged with:
- First-Degree Murder: The most serious homicide charge under Delaware law.
- Bail Status: Stevenson was committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to post a $500,000 cash bail [00:57].
As of Tuesday morning, authorities have not yet released the specific cause or manner of Linda Stevenson’s death, citing the ongoing nature of the case [01:15].
Connection to the Biden Family
Bill Stevenson is a well-known figure in Delaware, primarily for opening the “Stone Balloon,” a legendary college bar near the University of Delaware [01:10].
However, he is most recognized nationally for his marriage to Jill Biden in the early 1970s. The two were married from 1970 to 1975, before her subsequent marriage to former President Joe Biden. In recent years, Stevenson had been vocal in the media regarding his past relationship with the former First Lady.
What’s Next?
State prosecutors are expected to present further evidence as the case moves toward a preliminary hearing. The Biden family has not issued a statement regarding the charges against the former First Lady’s ex-husband.