Jill Biden Ex-Husband Charged First-Degree Murder Of Current Wife

WILMINGTON, DE (THECOUNT) — The New Castle County Police Department, Criminal Investigations Unit, and Delaware Division of Forensic Science have confirmed the arrest of 77-year-old William “Bill” Stevenson, the former husband of Dr. Jill Biden, on charges of first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson.

The New Castle County Police Department announced that William Stevenson was indicted by a grand jury and taken into custody without incident on February 2, 2026, following a weeks-long investigation into the death of Linda Stevenson, who was found unresponsive in their home in the 1313 Idlewood Road in Oak Hill, Wilmington.

The incident originated on December 29, 2025, when police responded to a domestic dispute call at the residence. Officers arrived to find 64-year-old Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room. She was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. William Stevenson, who placed the 911 call reporting the dispute, was present at the home during the response.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit assumed control of the case as a death investigation. The body was transferred to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death. Initial reports indicated no immediate signs of foul play, but further examination and evidence collection led to the escalation of charges.

On February 2, 2026, a grand jury returned an indictment charging William Stevenson with first-degree murder. He was arrested at a location in Delaware and arraigned in court, where he was held on a $500,000 cash bond at the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington. Court records show no prior criminal history directly related to this case, and details of the evidence supporting the charge have not been publicly disclosed.

“Bill” Stevenson and Jill Biden, born Jill Tracy Jacobs, were married from 1970 to 1975, during which time they had no children together. Stevenson, former owner of Stone Balloon bar in Delaware, has occasionally spoken publicly about his past marriage, including claims regarding the circumstances of their divorce and Jill Biden’s subsequent relationship with President Joe Biden. However, those statements are unrelated to the current charges.

Linda Stevenson, married to William since the 1980s, was described in obituaries and family statements as a dedicated community member involved in local charities. Her daughter, Christina Vettori, confirmed the family’s cooperation with authorities but requested privacy during the investigation. No additional family members have been implicated in the case.

The New Castle County Police Department has stated that the investigation remains ongoing, with potential for additional charges or details to emerge based on forensic results. The department’s public information office has directed inquiries to the official case file, emphasizing that all information released adheres to legal protocols for active prosecutions.

This case has drawn national attention due to Stevenson’s connection to the former first lady, prompting coverage from outlets such as NBC News, People, The New York Post, TMZ, Delaware Online, Yahoo, FOX affiliates, and others. Reports consistently note the arrest and charge but refrain from speculating on motives or evidence pending court proceedings.

From a national standpoint, the incident underscores the procedures involved in domestic dispute responses and subsequent death investigations, which often require coordination between local law enforcement, forensic experts, and judicial bodies. Similar cases across the United States highlight the importance of thorough evidence review before filing charges, particularly in situations initially presenting without obvious trauma.

The Delaware Attorney General’s office is overseeing the prosecution, with an initial court appearance scheduled for later in February 2026. William Stevenson’s legal representation has not issued public comments on the charges.

Authorities have provided a contact line for tips related to the case through the New Castle County Police Department at (302) 573-2800, or via Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 for anonymous submissions.

This development marks a significant update in what began as a routine emergency response, now elevated to a felony murder case with potential implications for those involved.

The Stone Balloon, a historic bar and live music venue in Newark, Delaware, was founded and owned by “Bill” Stevenson in 1972 during his marriage to Jill Biden (then Jill Jacobs). Located on Main Street near the University of Delaware campus, it became one of the top college bars in the country, appearing on Playboy magazine’s list of the “100 Top College Bars in America” and hosting performances by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (1974), The Allman Brothers Band, Metallica (1989), Dave Matthews Band, George Thorogood, Robert Palmer, and many others.

During the couple’s five-year marriage (1970–1975), the bar was central to their shared finances and daily life, with Jill Biden assisting with operations while a student. In their 1975 divorce, she sought partial ownership of the venue, but the court denied the claim.

Stevenson owned the original Stone Balloon until around 1993. It closed in 2005 after 33 years, was later revived as the Stone Balloon Ale House in 2014, and closed permanently in December 2023. In coverage of Stevenson’s February 2, 2026, indictment on first-degree murder charges in the death of his wife Linda Stevenson, the Stone Balloon is referenced only as background on his long history as a Delaware businessman and music promoter, with no connection to the current case.

DEVELOPING::