Ex-Husband of Former First Lady Jill Biden Arrested for Alleged Murder

William Stevenson, the former husband of Jill Biden, was apprehended on charges related to the alleged murder of his third wife, according to officials on Tuesday. The 77-year-old was detained on Monday and is currently facing a first-degree murder charge in connection to the death of Linda Stevenson, as per a grand jury indictment filed in Delaware.

The exact circumstances surrounding Linda’s death have not been disclosed by New Castle County police. However, an initial report mentioned officers attended a domestic disturbance on December 28 at a Wilmington residence. Upon arrival, Linda was found unresponsive in the living room. Despite the efforts to save her life, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Her remains were subsequently sent to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for further examination.

Linda Stevenson, who was 64 years old, is remembered in her obituary as a devoted family figure and a passionate Philadelphia Eagles supporter. She had also established a small bookkeeping firm during the latter period of her life.

The arrest of William Stevenson came after a comprehensive investigation that spanned several weeks, according to police statements. Despite the grand jury’s indictment, the specific cause of Linda’s death was not mentioned in the arrest announcement.

After his arrest, William was detained at the Howard Young Correctional Institution due to his inability to secure a $500,000 cash bail. It remains unclear whether he has legal representation at this time.

When contacted for comment, representatives for President Joe Biden and Jill Biden did not immediately respond to inquiries from NBC News.

Jill Biden, then known as Jill Tracy Jacobs, married William Stevenson in February 1970. At the time, she was a student at the University of Delaware while he was embarking on a venture that would become renowned — opening The Stone Balloon Club. This club later gained fame as a prominent college bar near the university’s Newark campus and hosted performances by notable acts like Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, and The Allman Brothers Band.

The marriage between Jill and William Stevenson lasted five years. Jill met Joe Biden, then a senator from Delaware, in March 1975, and was granted a civil divorce from Stevenson in May 1975. Jill had sought to keep half-ownership of The Stone Balloon, but this request was denied.

Contributors to this report include Doha Madani, a senior breaking news reporter, Brittany Kubicko, an assignment editor, and Gary Grumbach, a legal affairs reporter for NBC News.