Former Spouse of First Lady Jill Biden Indicted for Wife's Murder in Delaware
Delaware authorities have formally charged William Stevenson, who was briefly married to former first lady Jill Biden more than five decades ago, with the murder of his longtime wife, Linda Stevenson. The New Castle County Police Department announced the indictment on Tuesday, marking a tragic turn in a case that has drawn national attention due to Stevenson's past connection to the Biden family.
Domestic Dispute Leads to Fatal Incident
On December 28, just before midnight, police officers responded to a reported domestic disturbance at the Stevenson residence in New Castle County. Upon arrival, they discovered Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room area. Despite immediate attempts by emergency personnel to administer life-saving measures, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement officials have released minimal details regarding the circumstances of her death, maintaining a tight-lipped approach as the investigation progresses.
Grand Jury Returns First-Degree Murder Indictment
Following a presentation of evidence to a grand jury on Monday, an indictment was returned charging 77-year-old William Stevenson with first-degree murder. Police took Stevenson into custody without incident on the same day, and his bail has been set at $500,000 cash. The swift legal action underscores the seriousness of the allegations in this deeply troubling case.
Remembering Linda Stevenson: A Life Cut Short
Linda Stevenson, aged 64, was a devoted mother, grandmother, and successful business owner who had been married to William for approximately four decades. Her obituary paints a portrait of a remarkable woman, describing her as "tenacious, kind-hearted, and fiercely loyal." It further notes, "Her strength, resilience, and unwavering love for her family and friends will never be forgotten, and her absence will be felt deeply by all who knew her." Notably, the tribute makes no mention of her husband.
Historical Connection to the Biden Family Resurfaces
William Stevenson first captured media spotlight during the 2020 presidential election when he gave an interview to "Inside Edition" alleging that Jill and Joe Biden had an affair. Stevenson was married to Jill Biden from 1970 to 1974. He claimed familiarity with Joe Biden began in 1972 when he organized a fundraising event for Biden, who was then a county council member in New Castle, Delaware. Stevenson asserted he suspected an affair in 1974—a year before Jill and Joe Biden have publicly stated they were introduced on a blind date by Joe Biden's brother.
Jill Biden firmly denied these allegations at the time, issuing a statement to "Inside Edition" characterizing the claim as "fictitious." Stevenson came forward with these assertions while contemplating the release of a book about his life. In a 2020 interview with the Daily Mail, he expressed that he did not wish to damage Jill Biden's prospects of becoming first lady, stating, "She would make an excellent first lady — but this is my story."
He elaborated, "It's not a bitter book — I'm not bitter because, if it wasn't for my divorce, I would never have met my wife Linda and she's the greatest thing in my life — but it does have facts in it that aren't pleasant to Jill and Joe." This past controversy now adds a complex layer to the current murder charges, intertwining personal history with a devastating criminal case.
