Jill Biden's Ex-Husband Bill Stevenson Faces Charge in Wife's Passing — Details

Behind the flashing lights and court filings lies a marriage that spanned more than three decades, and a woman remembered for her warmth and devotion to family. What happened in her final moments is now at the center of a case raising deeply unsettling questions.

For years, Bill Stevenson lived on the edges of history, remembered mostly as the ex-husband of former U.S. First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and a local music businessman. Now, his name has been dragged back into the spotlight amid a case that has left even longtime observers stunned.

The story unfolding in Delaware isn't just about crime… It's about love, power, legacy, and a night that ended in tragedy.

Before Politics, Power, and Scandal, There Was a Young College Romance

Long before Jill became First Lady of the United States, she was a college student at the University of Delaware. That's where she met Bill, a man she once believed she would spend her life with.

The two married in 1970 when she was just 18, beginning what Jill would later describe as a relationship fueled by hope and idealism. In her 2019 memoir "Where the Light Enters: Building a Family, Discovering Myself," she reflected on that time with painful honesty:

"Looking back, it may seem like that relationship was a mistake of youth."

'Prince Charming' and the Life Jill Thought She Wanted

Jill described Bill as charismatic and entrepreneurial, a man who made adulthood feel exciting and tangible. The former couple rented what she called a "sleek modern house," a sharp contrast from student housing and cheap meals.

"My parents didn't object; in fact, my parents loved him," Jill divulged. She believed she had found a partnership built on loyalty and devotion… just like her parents'. "For a moment, we were happy," she added. "I had found my Prince Charming, and I was sure it would last forever."

"Jill, I met on the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey, in August of 1969. Sure, I fell in love with her, because I married her six months later," shared Bill in a past interview.

When Love, Ambition, and Politics Quietly Overlapped

Ironically, Bill wasn't just Jill's spouse; he was also an early supporter of her current husband's political rise. In 1972, Bill backed former U.S. President Joe Biden's Senate campaign and even helped host a fundraiser.

According to Bill, he raised between $2,500 and $3,000 for Joe when he was still a New Castle County councilman. He also says he introduced Joe to Jill that same year.

On election night in 1972, Jill and Bill attended Joe's victory party together. It was there that Jill met Joe's first wife, Neilia Hunter Biden, a moment that would later take on heavy significance.

According to Bill, "Right before the election in '72, Jill, Joe, Neilia and [sic] I were in his kitchen. How do you forget that?"

Claims That Changed the Narrative, and Fueled Controversy

Years later, Bill would claim that Jill and Joe's relationship began before his marriage officially ended. He alleged they grew close in 1974, while he was still married to Jill; an accusation Jill has denied.

Bill recalled a moment that made him suspicious. He said Jill once refused to join him to meet Bruce Springsteen, who was booked to play at The Stone Balloon.

"She said, 'Joe asked me to keep an eye on the boys,'" Bill recalled, admitting it made him pause. In his mind, something didn't feel right…

A Marriage Unravels, and a Painful Reckoning Begins

Jill wrote that she tried desperately to save her marriage. "We were young, and it didn't take long before we grew in different directions [...] I thought I could will our marriage back to life," she admitted. But eventually, she concluded their differences were "beyond repair." She didn't want to settle for what she called a "counterfeit love."

Still, divorce was terrifying for her at the time. "I'm not sure if I knew anyone who was divorced back then," she wrote, saying the idea felt like personal failure. Nevertheless, the divorce was finalized in May 1975.

The Stone Balloon: Fame, Music, and Money Disputes

After the split, tensions flared over Bill's prized business: The Stone Balloon. Jill asked for a share of the club during divorce proceedings. According to Bill, a judge denied her request. The dispute added bitterness to an already painful separation.

Bill continued running the venue, which became one of Delaware's most iconic music spots. Founded in 1972, the club hosted legendary acts including Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Dave Matthews, and My Morning Jacket.

Legal Trouble and a Tarnished Reputation

In the years following his divorce from Jill, Bill's life took another turn. He was convicted on a federal fraud charge and later sentenced to six years of probation for passing bad checks.

Bill has long insisted his legal problems were politically motivated. Regardless, they marked a sharp fall from his earlier success. Still, his public identity remained tied to music and nightlife, as even decades later, the Stone Balloon name carried weight.

The End of an Era for His Signature Venue

The original Stone Balloon rock club closed in 2005 after a 33-year run. But the legacy didn't end there. The Stone Balloon Ale House survived for years more before announcing it would close permanently in 2024. The owners cited real estate development and expansion plans, ending a 50-year chapter in Newark's history.

With that closure, another piece of Bill's public legacy quietly disappeared. What no one knew was that something far darker lay ahead...

A Second Marriage, and a Woman He Deeply Cherished

Years after his divorce, Bill found love again. He married Linda Stevenson, a woman he would later describe in glowing terms. Speaking in 2020 about his book, Bill said:

"I'm not bitter because, if it wasn't for my divorce, I would never have met my wife Linda and [sic] she's the greatest thing in my life."

He also emphasized the book wasn't written out of bitterness, and insisted he wasn't out for revenge while still standing by his version of events. By 2020, the couple had been married for 34 years.

The Night Police Were Called to the Stevenson Home

Late on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at approximately 11:16 p.m., police responded to a reported domestic dispute at a home on Idlewood Road in Oak Hill, Delaware. The call brought officers to the Stevensons' residence, according to the New Castle County Police Department.

Inside, they found Linda unresponsive in the living room. Officers immediately administered life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead. Dispatch audio referenced a possible cardiac arrest, according to TMZ.

Bill Stevenson's Role in the Immediate Aftermath

Law enforcement confirmed that Bill was the one who called 911. He was present at the home when officers arrived. According to authorities, he also spoke with detectives and initially cooperated with investigators.

At that time, no criminal charges had been filed. Linda's body was transferred to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science, and an autopsy was ordered to determine the cause and manner of death.

Detectives from the New Castle County Police Department's Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case, and authorities asked anyone with information to come forward. For weeks, the case remained publicly unresolved. Then, everything changed...

The Arrest That Stunned the Public

On February 2, 2026, Bill Stevenson was taken into custody without incident. The following day, authorities announced he had been indicted by a grand jury, and by February 3, Bill was charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Linda.

He was arraigned and ordered held on $500,000 bail. The news has sent shockwaves through Delaware and beyond. A once-familiar name is now attached to the most serious charge possible.

Who Linda Stevenson Was Beyond the Headlines

Linda was 64 years old and lived in Elsmere, Delaware. She was born on April 29, 1961, and was deeply family-oriented and treasured time with her daughter, Christina, and her granddaughter, Ciara. Family vacations were among her happiest memories.

Within the last five years, Linda founded BMB Bookkeeping, building the business with integrity and care. She loved her work and treated clients like friends. A devoted Philadelphia Eagles fan, she found joy cheering on her team. Friends described her as tenacious, kind-hearted, and fiercely loyal, according to her online obituary.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Linda's daughter, Christina, her granddaughter, Ciara, her entire family, all her friends, loved ones, community, and all who knew and loved her. We hope for their healing as they mourn such a significant loss. RIP, dear Linda.