Jill Biden ex husband charged, William “Bill” Stevenson, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson, in Delaware in December 2025. He pleaded not guilty in February 2026.
The case attracted widespread attention because Stevenson was married to Jill Biden, the former first lady of the United States, from 1970 to 1975. However, the criminal case concerns Linda Stevenson’s death, not Jill Biden or her later marriage to Joe Biden.
Quick Answer: William “Bill” Stevenson, Jill Biden’s first husband, was charged with first-degree murder following the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson, at their Delaware home on December 28, 2025. He pleaded not guilty in February 2026. The investigation and legal proceedings are separate from Jill Biden’s personal life, and an accusation is not proof of guilt.
Bio / Quick Facts
The following table summarizes the publicly reported details about Bill Stevenson and his connection to Jill Biden.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | William Stevenson |
| Common name | Bill Stevenson |
| Date of birth | Not publicly confirmed |
| Age | Reported as 77 in February 2026 |
| Birthplace | Not reliably confirmed |
| Known for | Business ventures and founding the Stone Balloon music venue |
| Profession | Businessman and former music venue owner |
| Former spouse | Jill Biden |
| Marriage to Jill Biden | 1970–1975 |
| Later wife | Linda Stevenson |
| Legal charge | First-degree murder |
| Location of case | Wilmington, Delaware, United States |
| Height | Not reliably confirmed |
| Weight | Not reliably confirmed |
| Net worth | Not reliably established |
| Reported plea | Not guilty in February 2026 |
Personal details such as his exact birth date, height, weight, and net worth have not been reliably established in the public information reviewed for this article. They should not be guessed or presented as verified facts.
Who Is Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband Bill Stevenson?
Bill Stevenson is an American businessman who became widely known to the public because of his first marriage to Jill Biden, who later became the wife of former U.S. president Joe Biden.
Stevenson and Jill Biden married in 1970, when she was a college student. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1975, several years before Joe Biden became president and decades before Jill Biden served as first lady.
For many years, Stevenson was primarily associated with his business activities in Delaware and his ownership of the Stone Balloon, a music venue that became popular with University of Delaware students and music fans.
His name returned to national headlines in February 2026 when authorities announced that he had been charged in connection with the death of his second wife, Linda Stevenson.
Key Facts About Bill Stevenson
- He was Jill Biden’s first husband: The couple married in 1970 and divorced in 1975.
- He was a Delaware businessman: Stevenson became known for his involvement in the local entertainment and hospitality industry.
- He founded the Stone Balloon: The Newark venue hosted well-known rock performers and became a recognized music destination.
- He married Linda Stevenson later: Their marriage lasted for decades, according to published reports.
- He faces a serious criminal charge: Authorities charged him with first-degree murder following Linda’s death.
- He pleaded not guilty: A February 2026 court appearance established that he denied the charge, and the allegation must be resolved through the legal process.
Stevenson’s former marriage to Jill Biden explains much of the public interest in the case. However, his professional background and legal circumstances should be considered separately from Jill Biden’s public career.
Why Was Jill Biden’s Ex-Husband Charged?
The central question behind the search term “Jill Biden ex husband charged” concerns the death of Linda Stevenson and the subsequent criminal investigation.
Authorities in New Castle County, Delaware, announced in February 2026 that a grand jury had indicted William Stevenson on one felony count of first-degree murder.
The charge followed an investigation lasting several weeks. Police had initially responded to a reported domestic dispute at the couple’s home in December 2025.
What Authorities Reported
- December 28, 2025: Police responded to a reported domestic dispute at the Stevensons’ home in the Oak Hill area near Wilmington, Delaware.
- Linda Stevenson was found unresponsive: Officers found the 64-year-old woman in the living room.
- Emergency efforts were unsuccessful: Responders attempted lifesaving measures, but Linda was pronounced dead.
- An investigation followed: Detectives investigated the circumstances surrounding her death over several weeks.
- February 2, 2026: A grand jury returned an indictment against William Stevenson.
- February 3, 2026: Authorities publicly announced the murder charge and confirmed his arrest.
These events form the publicly reported timeline of the investigation.
The precise circumstances that led investigators to seek an indictment have not been fully detailed in the information reviewed for this article. The publicly reported facts do not establish a complete account of what happened inside the home.
What Does First-Degree Murder Mean?
First-degree murder is a serious criminal charge. In general, it concerns a killing that meets specific legal requirements under the relevant jurisdiction’s law, which may include an intentional and premeditated act.
The exact legal requirements depend on the applicable statute and the facts alleged by prosecutors.
An indictment means a grand jury has formally charged a person with a crime. It does not mean that the person has been convicted or that every allegation has been proven.
Stevenson’s plea of not guilty is an important part of the case. His guilt or innocence must be determined through the legal process, rather than inferred from headlines or his connection to a public figure.
What Happened to Linda Stevenson?
Linda Stevenson was Bill Stevenson’s wife at the time of her death. She was 64 years old and lived with him in Delaware.
Although the case received considerable media attention because of Bill Stevenson’s former marriage to Jill Biden, Linda’s life and family are central to understanding the tragedy.
What Is Known About Linda Stevenson?
- Her age: Linda Stevenson was reported to be 64 when she died in December 2025.
- Her occupation: She operated a bookkeeping business.
- Her family: Published accounts described her as a mother and grandmother who valued spending time with her relatives.
- Her death: Police found her unresponsive at her home after responding to a reported domestic dispute.
- Her family’s loss: Her daughter publicly expressed deep grief following her death.
- The investigation: Authorities investigated her death before obtaining a grand jury indictment against her husband.
Linda’s obituary described her as family-oriented and noted her interest in the Philadelphia Eagles. Her daughter also spoke publicly about the emotional pain of losing her.
These personal details provide a fuller picture of the person at the center of the case. Media coverage can sometimes focus heavily on a defendant’s connection to a famous person, but Linda Stevenson was more than a name in a criminal investigation.
Has the Cause of Linda Stevenson’s Death Been Confirmed Publicly?
The precise cause and manner of Linda Stevenson’s death were not clearly established in the public information reviewed for this article.
Authorities reported that she was found unresponsive and that emergency efforts failed. An examination was undertaken as part of the investigation.
Without a confirmed public account of the medical findings and the evidence presented in court, it would be inappropriate to speculate about exactly how she died.
The distinction matters because the charge against Stevenson is an allegation that prosecutors must prove. Responsible reporting should separate the known circumstances from unanswered questions.
Jill Biden and Bill Stevenson’s Marriage Timeline
Jill Biden’s former marriage is an important part of the background to this story, but the relationship ended decades before the criminal case emerged.
Jill Biden, born Jill Tracy Jacobs, was a young college student when she married Stevenson. She later built a career as an educator and became internationally known through her marriage to Joe Biden.
Important Dates in Their Relationship
| Year or date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1970 | Jill Biden married William Stevenson. |
| 1975 | Their marriage ended in divorce. |
| 1975 | Jill Biden met Joe Biden. |
| 1977 | Jill Biden married Joe Biden. |
| December 28, 2025 | Police responded to a reported domestic dispute at Linda and Bill Stevenson’s home. |
| February 2, 2026 | A grand jury returned an indictment against Stevenson. |
| February 3, 2026 | Authorities announced the first-degree murder charge. |
| February 17, 2026 | Stevenson pleaded not guilty at a court appearance. |
The timeline illustrates the long gap between Jill Biden’s divorce from Stevenson and the criminal allegations that later brought his name back into the news.
Why Did Jill Biden and Bill Stevenson Divorce?
Their marriage ended in 1975. Public accounts have described the divorce as contentious, and Stevenson later discussed the relationship in media interviews.
However, a complete, independently verified account of every factor that led to their separation is not available in the information reviewed here.
It is important not to treat one person’s recollections as an established account of the entire relationship. Personal relationships can involve different perspectives, and a public statement does not necessarily establish every detail of a private marriage.
The divorce occurred long before Jill Biden became first lady. Her subsequent life and career developed independently of Stevenson’s later business and personal activities.
Who Is Jill Biden? Her Life After the Divorce
Jill Biden is an American educator who served as first lady of the United States from January 2021 to January 2025, during Joe Biden’s presidency.
She spent much of her professional life teaching and working in education. Unlike some first ladies who stepped away from paid employment during their spouses’ political careers, she continued her teaching work while serving in a prominent public role.
Jill Biden’s Background
- Birth name: Jill Tracy Jacobs.
- Birth date: June 3, 1951.
- Education: She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees and later completed a doctorate in education.
- Professional career: She worked as an English teacher and community college educator.
- Marriage to Joe Biden: The couple married in 1977.
- Public role: She served as first lady from 2021 through 2025.
Her education and professional accomplishments are separate from the circumstances surrounding her first marriage.
Jill Biden’s Marriage to Joe Biden
Jill Biden met Joe Biden in 1975, after her divorce from Stevenson. They married in 1977 and built a family together.
Joe Biden served as a U.S. senator, vice president, and later president. During his presidency, Jill Biden continued to advocate for education, military families, and other causes.
The couple’s long marriage and public responsibilities placed Jill Biden in the international spotlight. As a result, news involving people from her earlier life can attract considerable attention even when she is not directly involved.
Has Jill Biden Commented on the Charges?
Public reporting in February 2026 stated that Jill Biden’s office declined to comment on the case.
There is no basis to interpret the absence of a public statement as evidence of involvement, knowledge, or responsibility. Stevenson’s former marriage to Jill Biden is a biographical connection, not evidence linking her to the alleged crime.
The criminal investigation concerns Linda Stevenson’s death and the allegations against William Stevenson.
Bill Stevenson’s Career and the Stone Balloon
Before the murder charge brought renewed public attention, Bill Stevenson was known in Delaware for his business activities, especially his connection to the Stone Balloon.
The venue was established in Newark in the early 1970s and became a popular gathering place for University of Delaware students and local music fans.
It hosted performances by established rock acts and helped make the local entertainment scene more visible.
What Was the Stone Balloon?
- Location: Newark, Delaware.
- Established: The early 1970s.
- Business type: A bar and live-music venue.
- Audience: University students, local residents, and music fans.
- Reputation: It became known for hosting rock performances and serving as a social destination.
- Connection to Stevenson: He founded the venue and became associated with its growth.
The Stone Balloon’s history is a significant part of Stevenson’s public background. Its role in local entertainment existed independently of his later personal circumstances.
Did Famous Musicians Perform There?
Published accounts have associated the venue with well-known rock performers, including Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, George Thorogood, and Cheap Trick.
Such performances helped establish the venue’s reputation among music fans.
However, the fact that a venue hosted notable musicians does not establish its owner’s personal wealth or provide enough information to calculate a reliable net worth.
What Is Bill Stevenson’s Net Worth?
Bill Stevenson’s net worth has not been reliably established in the information reviewed for this article.
His connection to a successful music venue may suggest that he had business interests, but it does not provide a verified estimate of his personal assets, debts, property, or income.
Online celebrity biographies sometimes publish precise wealth estimates without explaining their calculations. Those figures should not be repeated as fact without reliable supporting evidence.
For accurate biographical writing, it is better to identify his business background while acknowledging that his net worth remains unconfirmed.
Bill Stevenson’s Second Marriage to Linda Stevenson
Bill Stevenson’s relationship with Linda Stevenson is central to the criminal case.
Reports indicate that the couple had been married for decades. Their relationship was very different from Stevenson’s much earlier marriage to Jill Biden, which ended in 1975.
What Is Known About Their Relationship?
- They married after his divorce from Jill Biden: Stevenson later established a separate family life.
- Their marriage lasted for decades: Reports described their relationship as lasting nearly 40 years.
- Linda had a bookkeeping business: This was part of her professional life.
- She was close to her family: Her obituary emphasized her relationships with her daughter and granddaughter.
- Her death led to a police investigation: Officers responded to the couple’s home in December 2025.
- The case became nationally prominent: Stevenson’s earlier marriage to Jill Biden attracted additional attention to the investigation.
Although the couple’s long marriage has been mentioned in coverage, its private details should not be assumed or embellished.
A lengthy relationship does not establish what happened during the incident under investigation. Likewise, the public’s perception of a couple cannot replace evidence presented in a criminal case.
Did Bill Stevenson Speak About Linda Before the Case?
Stevenson had discussed his life after his divorce from Jill Biden in earlier media interviews. Published reports described him as speaking positively about Linda and their life together.
Those earlier comments attracted renewed interest after the murder charge was announced.
However, comments made years earlier cannot independently establish the circumstances of Linda’s death. The legal case must be evaluated using relevant evidence, testimony, and court findings.
Height, Weight, Age, and Personal Details
Readers searching for celebrity biography information often want basic physical details and personal statistics.
In Stevenson’s case, several common biographical details have not been reliably documented in the public information reviewed for this article. Publishing unsupported figures would create a misleading impression of certainty.
Bill Stevenson’s Physical Statistics
| Detail | Bill Stevenson | Jill Biden |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Reported as 77 in February 2026 | 75 in October 2026 |
| Height | Not reliably confirmed | Not reliably confirmed here |
| Weight | Not reliably confirmed | Not reliably confirmed here |
| Profession | Businessman | Educator |
| Public recognition | Stone Balloon and legal case | Former first lady and educator |
Jill Biden was born on June 3, 1951, making her 75 years old in October 2026. Stevenson’s exact birth date has not been reliably confirmed here, so his age should not be calculated more precisely than the age reported in February 2026.
Why Are Some Details Missing?
There are several reasons why reliable information about physical statistics may be unavailable:
- Private individuals have limited biographical coverage: Stevenson is not primarily known as an actor or professional athlete.
- No verified measurements are available: Height and weight figures should not be invented.
- Age reports may be time-specific: A reported age should be connected to the date of publication.
- Net worth estimates are difficult to verify: Business ownership alone does not establish personal wealth.
These limitations do not prevent an accurate account of the criminal case. They simply identify the difference between confirmed information and unsupported online claims.
Latest Update on the Jill Biden Ex-Husband Charged Case
The most important publicly documented legal update reviewed for this article is Stevenson’s February 17, 2026, not-guilty plea.
The following summary separates the initial charge from the later court development.
What Happened After the Arrest?
- Indictment: A grand jury returned an indictment on February 2, 2026.
- Arrest: Stevenson was taken into custody after the indictment.
- Initial bail: Authorities initially reported bail of $500,000.
- Later court proceedings: Reports of his February 17 appearance stated that bail had been set at $2 million.
- Plea: Stevenson pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.
- Next hearing reported at that time: His next court appearance was scheduled for March 16, 2026.
These details are based on the latest specific court update that could be verified in the research for this article. A later hearing or change in the case may have occurred, and no unverified outcome should be presented as current fact.
Has Bill Stevenson Been Convicted?
The verified information reviewed for this article establishes that Stevenson was charged and pleaded not guilty. It does not establish a criminal conviction.
A charge is not the same as a conviction. Prosecutors must prove the allegations under the applicable legal standard, and the defendant has the right to contest the case.
For this reason, descriptions such as “accused of murder” or “charged with first-degree murder” are more accurate than statements that present the allegation as an established fact.
What Is Still Unknown?
Several important details have not been fully established in the publicly available information reviewed here:
- The complete circumstances of Linda’s death: Public reports have not provided a comprehensive account.
- The precise cause of death: A definitive public explanation was not confirmed in the reviewed material.
- The evidence supporting the charge: The complete evidentiary record has not been established here.
- The final court outcome: No verified final judgment is included in the information reviewed.
- Any later developments: The status of proceedings after the reported February hearing requires confirmation through updated court records or official announcements.
Avoiding speculation is particularly important in a case involving a death, a surviving family, and a serious criminal accusation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Jill Biden’s ex-husband charged with murder?
Yes. William “Bill” Stevenson, Jill Biden’s first husband, was charged with first-degree murder in February 2026 in connection with Linda Stevenson’s death in Delaware. He pleaded not guilty on February 17, 2026.
Who is Jill Biden’s ex-husband?
Jill Biden’s first husband is William Stevenson, commonly known as Bill Stevenson. They married in 1970 and divorced in 1975, before she married Joe Biden in 1977.
Who was Bill Stevenson’s wife who died?
His wife was Linda Stevenson, a 64-year-old woman who operated a bookkeeping business. She was found unresponsive at the couple’s Delaware home on December 28, 2025, after police responded to a reported domestic dispute.
When was Bill Stevenson arrested?
Authorities announced that Stevenson was taken into custody on February 2, 2026, following a grand jury indictment. The murder charge was publicly announced on February 3, 2026.
Did Bill Stevenson plead guilty?
No. Stevenson pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on February 17, 2026. The charge remained an allegation in the verified information reviewed for this article, and a final conviction has not been established here.
Has Jill Biden commented on her ex-husband’s case?
Reports published in February 2026 stated that Jill Biden’s office declined to comment. Her former marriage to Stevenson ended in 1975, decades before the events that led to the criminal investigation.
What was Bill Stevenson known for before the murder charge?
Stevenson was known as a Delaware businessman and the founder of the Stone Balloon, a popular bar and live-music venue in Newark. The venue became known for hosting rock performers and attracting University of Delaware students.
What is Bill Stevenson’s current legal status?
The latest specific court update verified for this article is his February 17, 2026, not-guilty plea. Reports at that time said he remained in custody with bail set at $2 million and had a further hearing scheduled for March 16. A later case outcome has not been verified here.
Conclusion
The search for “Jill Biden ex husband charged” refers to the first-degree murder charge brought against William “Bill” Stevenson in connection with the December 2025 death of his wife, Linda Stevenson, in Delaware. Stevenson was married to Jill Biden from 1970 to 1975 and later became known for his business activities, including founding the Stone Balloon music venue.
In February 2026, a grand jury indicted Stevenson, and he subsequently pleaded not guilty. The case attracted national attention because of his former connection to Jill Biden, but the allegations concern Linda Stevenson’s death and must be addressed through the legal system.