The ex-husband of former first lady Jill Biden, William “Bill” Stevenson, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson, Delaware authorities announced Tuesday.
Stevenson, 77, was arrested on one felony count of first-degree murder, according to a statement from New Castle County Police. Police said he was taken into custody without incident.
Following his arraignment, Stevenson was ordered held on $500,000 cash bail and is being detained at the Howard Young Correctional Institution, authorities said.
Why the case is drawing attention
Public interest in the case has been heightened by Stevenson’s past marriage to Jill Biden. The two were married from 1970 to 1975. She later married Joe Biden in 1977. In recent years, Stevenson has publicly criticized the Biden family and spoken about his former spouse in interviews.
What authorities have said so far
Linda Stevenson, 64, died in late December after police responding to a reported domestic disturbance found her unresponsive in the living room, according to an earlier police release.
In Tuesday’s announcement, police did not provide additional details about how she died. A cause of death has not been released.
Linda Stevenson had been married to Bill Stevenson for nearly four decades. Bill Stevenson is also known locally as a former owner of Stone Balloon, a bar near the University of Delaware.
The Bidens have not publicly commented on the case.
What people are saying
An obituary posted by Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home described Linda Stevenson as family-focused and dedicated to her work. It said she founded BMB Bookkeeping within the past five years and was remembered as “tenacious, kind-hearted, and fiercely loyal.”
What happens next
Stevenson remains in custody at the Howard Young Correctional Institution pending further court hearings.
