WILMINGTON, Del. - Authorities have formally charged William Stevenson, age 77, with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson, at their Wilmington home last December. Stevenson, who was married to former first lady Jill Biden from 1970 to 1975, became the focus of the case following a domestic disturbance reported just after 11 p.m. on December 28.
Linden Harrison, acting as a spokesperson for the Delaware Attorney General, verified Stevensons identity and his previous marital ties to Jill Biden during a telephone call. In response to media inquiries, Jill Biden did not provide a statement; her office issued a brief email declining comment.
Following his arrest on Monday, Stevenson was unable to secure release on a $500,000 bail and remains detained. Investigators were alerted to the residence due to reports of a domestic conflict, where responders discovered Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful.
Linda Stevenson, age 64, was described in her obituary as a devoted family member, mother, and grandmother, as well as a Philadelphia Eagles enthusiast. She operated a bookkeeping business. Notably, her obituary made no reference to her spouse.
The case involved a comprehensive investigation by detectives within the Delaware Department of Justice, culminating in a grand jury indictment against William Stevenson. It is currently unconfirmed whether Stevenson has retained legal counsel.
William Stevenson is also recognized for founding the Stone Balloon, a well-known music venue in Newark, Delaware, during the early 1970s.
Earlier this year, Stevenson was interviewed by the conservative outlet Newsmax, where he spoke disparagingly of Jill Biden. He described their divorce as acrimonious, using terms such as bitter and nasty to characterize the former first lady. It was noted that Jill Biden entered into marriage with then-U.S. Senator Joe Biden in 1977, who later served as the President of the United States from 2021 to 2025.