KEY POINTS
- William Stevenson, 77, charged with first degree murder of his wife, Linda Stevenson, in Wilmington, Delaware.
- Death followed a domestic dispute on December 28 cause of death pending autopsy results.
- Former First Lady Jill Biden was married to Stevenson from 1970 to 1975 no official connection to current investigation.
Wilmington, Delaware — William Stevenson, 77, the former husband of US First Lady Jill Biden, was arrested Monday and charged with first degree murder in the death of his current wife, Linda Stevenson, authorities said Tuesday.
The arrest followed a grand jury indictment resulting from a “weekslong investigation” into the incident, New Castle County police said.
Linda Stevenson was found unresponsive at a Wilmington residence on December 28 during a reported domestic dispute. Despite lifesaving efforts by officers on the scene, she was pronounced dead.
Her body was subsequently turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for autopsy, officials said. A specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
William Stevenson is being held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $500,000 cash bail.
It remains unclear whether he has retained legal counsel. Representatives for President Joe Biden and Jill Biden did not respond to requests for comment.
The arrest of William Stevenson marks a rare public connection between a high profile political family and a violent criminal case. Jill Biden, then Jill Tracy Jacobs, married Stevenson in 1970 while attending the University of Delaware.
Their marriage lasted five years before she divorced Stevenson in 1975 and later married Joe Biden, now the 46th president of the United States.
Stevenson later opened The Stone Balloon Club near the University of Delaware in Newark, which became a renowned venue hosting artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews.
Jill Biden attempted to maintain a half share in the club after her divorce but was denied. The couple’s historical ties to Delaware have long been a footnote in biographical accounts of the First Lady.
“While historical, the connection to Jill Biden is tangential. Legally, the case will hinge entirely on evidence related to Mrs. Stevenson’s death,” said Jessica Leong, a criminal law professor at Widener University Delaware Law School.
New Castle County Police Chief Kevin R. Schaffer emphasized the thoroughness of the investigation “This indictment is the result of extensive investigative work to ensure accountability under Delaware law,” he said.
Stevenson’s case will proceed through Delaware’s Superior Court system. Authorities indicate further details from forensic analyses may emerge in upcoming hearings. Legal proceedings could span months given the first-degree murder charge.
The arrest highlights the intersection of personal histories and legal accountability, reaffirming law enforcement’s procedural rigor in Delaware while maintaining the independence of ongoing investigations from political figures.
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