Jill Biden's Former Husband Indicted for First-Degree Murder in Delaware
William Stevenson, the ex-husband of former first lady Jill Biden, has been formally charged with first-degree murder following the death of his wife in Delaware. The 77-year-old was indicted by a grand jury in New Castle County on Monday, in connection with the passing of 64-year-old Linda Stevenson last year.
Historical Context of the Marriage
Mrs Biden married Stevenson in February 1970, when she was an 18-year-old student at the University of Delaware, and he was 23. Their union lasted only five years, ending in a civil divorce granted in May 1975. This occurred shortly after she met then Democratic senator for Delaware, Joe Biden, in March of that year.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
New Castle County Police reported that Stevenson was taken into custody without incident at a home in Oak Hill on Monday afternoon. He has since been arraigned and is currently held at the Howard Young Correction Institution in Wilmington. Authorities have set a cash bail of $500,000, which he has been unable to pay.
Details of the Incident
According to official reports, officers responded to a domestic dispute at a residence in Oak Hill, just west of Wilmington, at approximately 11.16pm on 28 December. Upon arrival, emergency services discovered Mrs Stevenson unresponsive in the living room. She was later pronounced dead at the scene.
Ongoing Investigation
Delaware state police have transferred Mrs Stevenson's body to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science for a post mortem examination. This procedure aims to determine the precise cause and manner of her death, as the investigation continues.
Response from the Biden Family
The office of Jill and former president Joe Biden has declined to comment on the matter when approached by Sky's US partner network NBC News, maintaining a stance of privacy amidst the legal developments.
