You will find concise background and the latest developments about the case, plus what to expect next in the legal process and how family ties to public figures shape coverage.
William Stevenson, Jill Biden’s former husband, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of his wife, and the piece outlines the incident, his arrest, and the unfolding legal proceedings.
Follow the timeline of the December domestic dispute, the charges filed by Delaware authorities, and the implications this case may have for public perception of high-profile families.
Details of the Fatal Domestic Incident
The incident in late December involved a reported domestic dispute that left Linda Stevenson unresponsive at her Wilmington home. New Castle County Police later arrested William Stevenson and charged him with first-degree murder after an investigation and grand jury indictment.
Events Leading Up to Linda Stevenson’s Death
Neighbors reported a disturbance at the couple’s Oak Hill neighborhood residence on Dec. 28, when police say officers responded to a domestic dispute call. Linda Stevenson, 64, and William Stevenson, 77, had lived at the split-level house; authorities indicate the interaction that night escalated before police arrived.
Court records and police statements filed after the arrest say the incident followed a domestic altercation at the home. Investigators later gathered evidence and witnesses that led prosecutors to seek an indictment charging William Stevenson with first-degree murder.
Discovery at the Wilmington Home
Officers arriving at the Wilmington address found Linda Stevenson unresponsive inside the residence. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene; she was later pronounced dead at the location. Police have not publicly released detailed cause-of-death information pending forensic results and ongoing legal proceedings.
Investigators secured the scene and collected physical evidence; they have not publicly shared specific forensic findings. The home and immediate area were photographed and processed as part of the homicide investigation handled by New Castle County law enforcement.
Response by New Castle County Police
The New Castle County Police Department opened a homicide investigation after the initial response and coordinated with the county prosecutor. Detectives interviewed witnesses, reviewed 911 call records, and obtained a grand jury indictment that led to William Stevenson’s arrest on first-degree murder charges in early February.
Police statements confirmed the arrest and that Stevenson remained in custody after failing to post $500,000 bail. The department limited details released publicly, citing the ongoing investigation and pending court proceedings.
Immediate Aftermath and Pronouncement
Medical responders pronounced Linda Stevenson dead at the home on Dec. 28, according to police reports. Her death prompted the homicide investigation and the subsequent grand jury action that produced the murder charge against William Stevenson.
Community members and local media observed police activity at the Wilmington residence in the days following the incident. Prosecutors have moved forward with charges while forensic analysis and court scheduling continue under New Castle County jurisdiction.
Links: read more from the New York Times on the indictment and arrest here.
William Stevenson’s Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Police say William Stevenson, 77, was arrested after an investigation into the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson. Officials allege the incident began as a domestic dispute at their Wilmington-area home on December 28.
First-Degree Murder Charge and Grand Jury Indictment
A New Castle County grand jury returned an indictment charging William Stevenson with first-degree murder. Prosecutors filed the single felony count after a multiweek inquiry by the division’s criminal investigations unit and other investigators.
The indictment alleges intentional conduct in the death of his wife, which elevates the charge to first-degree murder under Delaware law. The grand jury’s action means prosecutors presented evidence they considered sufficient to pursue a trial.
Legal filings and police statements have not publicly disclosed the detailed cause of death. The Delaware Division of Forensic Science received the body for autopsy, and investigators cited the results and witness interviews when seeking the indictment.
Taken Into Custody and Arraignment
Stevenson was taken into custody by New Castle County police and initially processed through local law enforcement channels. He was brought before a justice of the peace court 2 for initial proceedings, where standard arraignment steps occurred: identification of the charge and advisement of rights.
Records show he did not post $500,000 cash bail at the initial hearing, which kept him in custody pending further court dates. Prosecutors indicated the arrest followed an “extensive weekslong investigation,” and court calendars list upcoming pretrial events and potential motions.
Court documents do not yet show a public declaration of plea. Defense counsel status remained unclear in early filings, and hearings will determine motions over evidence, forensic reports, and scheduling toward trial.
Howard Young Correctional Institution and $500,000 Bail
After failing to post $500,000 cash bail, William Stevenson was held at the Howard Young Correctional Institution. The facility houses defendants awaiting trial on felony charges, and he remains in custody there under the county’s detention protocols.
Bail conditions reflect the severity of the first-degree murder charge and prosecutors’ concerns about public safety and flight risk. The $500,000 figure was set by the court; defense attorneys can request reconsideration or an alternative bond, but such requests require convincing the judge with mitigating evidence such as health, ties to the community, or legal constraints.
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