Bill Stevenson Indicted on First-Degree Murder Charge in Delaware

Indictment Follows Death of Linda Stevenson in New Castle County

William "Bill" Stevenson, the former husband of current First Lady Jill Biden, was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of his second wife, Linda Stevenson, in Delaware. Authorities announced the indictment on Monday, February 2, 2026.

New Castle County Police stated that a grand jury returned the indictment against Stevenson on that date. Police took him into custody shortly after the indictment was issued. He was later arraigned and placed in the Howard Young Correctional Institution after he failed to post $500,000 bail.

Incident Reported in Oak Hill Neighborhood Near Elsmere

The charge stems from an incident that occurred in late December 2025, when New Castle County police responded to a reported domestic dispute on the 1300 block of Idlewood Road in the Oak Hill neighborhood, near the town of Elsmere, Delaware. When officers arrived at the residence, they found 64-year-old Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room.

According to police, Linda Stevenson was later pronounced dead. At the time of the initial death investigation, authorities did not file any charges. Investigators have not yet released her cause of death, and police have declined to provide further comment on the ongoing investigation.

Legal Status and Custody Details

Bill Stevenson now faces one felony count of first-degree murder related to Linda Stevenson's death. Following the grand jury indictment, he was taken into custody by New Castle County police. During his arraignment, the court set his bail at $500,000. Stevenson was transported to the Howard Young Correctional Institution after he did not post the required bail amount.

Authorities have not announced any additional charges in the case. No information has been released by investigators about specific evidence or the circumstances leading to the indictment beyond the fact that it is connected to Linda Stevenson's death in the Oak Hill neighborhood.

Background on the Individuals Involved

William Stevenson was previously married to Jill Biden. They met in Ocean City, New Jersey, in 1969 and married in 1970. The couple divorced in 1975. Stevenson later married Linda roughly a decade after that divorce.

Stevenson is known as the former owner of The Stone Balloon, a venue in Newark, Delaware, which hosted performances by several rock acts, including Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, George Thorogood, and Cheap Trick. Linda Stevenson was a mother and grandmother who had recently founded an accounting business called BMB Bookkeeping.

Community Response at the Stevenson Residence

Following news of the murder charge, a neighbor placed a sign reading "Justice for Linda" outside the Stevenson residence on Idlewood Road. Most nearby residents declined to speak publicly, but one woman who lives down the street stated that she was surprised to learn of the murder charge.

As of the latest information provided by New Castle County police, the investigation into Linda Stevenson's death remains active, and authorities have not disclosed further details about the case.