Elsmere, Delaware — William “Bill” Stevenson, the ex-husband of First Lady Jill Biden, was arrested Monday on charges of murdering his current wife, Linda Stevenson, at their home in December. The New Castle County Police announced that Stevenson, 77, faces a charge of first-degree murder following an indictment linked to the death of his 64-year-old wife.
Authorities responded to a domestic dispute call on December 28, where they discovered Linda Stevenson unresponsive on the floor of their residence. Despite attempts to revive her, emergency personnel pronounced her dead at the scene. Investigators have not yet revealed the cause of her death, pending the results of an autopsy.
Stevenson is currently being held on $500,000 bail at the Howard Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington, unable to secure his release following his arraignment. This arrest follows an extensive investigation lasting several weeks.
Linda Stevenson was remembered fondly in her obituary as a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, and she is survived by her daughter, Christina Vettori, as well as a granddaughter and a sister. The community’s outpouring of grief highlights the impact of her loss.
William Stevenson was previously married to Jill Biden from 1970 to 1975. During their brief marriage, they were part of a tight-knit circle that included Joe Biden, who later became Jill’s husband. Stevenson’s allegations of an affair between Joe and Jill during his marriage to her have been a point of contention, although both Joe and Jill have stated that their relationship began after he became widowed and she separated from Stevenson.
Prior to their divorce, the couple operated The Stone Balloon, a popular venue near the University of Delaware that hosted performances by well-known artists, including Bruce Springsteen and the Allman Brothers Band. After parting ways, Jill Biden re-married in 1977, connecting with Joe Biden shortly after Stevenson’s allegations emerged.
No details have been released regarding Stevenson’s legal representation. The proceedings surrounding the murder charge will continue to unfold as investigators continue their work.