Who Is Jill Biden's Ex-Husband Bill Stevenson? Murder Charge, Stone Balloon History, and What Happened to Linda

 William "Bill" Stevenson, the first husband of former First Lady Jill Biden, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder on February 3, 2026. Police found his wife Linda Stevenson, 64, dead in their Delaware home on December 28, 2025 after responding to a domestic dispute call. Stevenson is being held on $500,000 cash bail at Howard Young Correctional Institution.

You're searching for Bill Stevenson because breaking news connects him to a criminal investigation. This guide explains who he is, his past marriage to Jill Biden, the murder charge he now faces, and his Delaware legacy as founder of the Stone Balloon music venue.

Bill Stevenson, Jill Biden's ex-husband, faces first-degree murder charges in Delaware after the death of his wife Linda in December 2025

The Murder Charge: What Police Found

New Castle County Police responded to a domestic dispute call at 11:15 p.m. on December 28, 2025. The location was the 1300 block of Idlewood Road in the Oak Hill neighborhood near Elsmere, Delaware. Officers found Linda Stevenson unresponsive in the living room. They attempted life-saving measures but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police transferred Linda's body to the Delaware Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy. The investigation lasted over one month. On February 3, 2026, a grand jury indicted Bill Stevenson on one count of first-degree murder. Police arrested him without incident at his home.

Authorities have not released specific details about how Linda died. Dispatch audio from the December 28 incident mentions cardiac arrest. Police removed several items from the Stevenson home during the initial investigation. No charges were filed at the time of Linda's death.

Bill Stevenson was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2. He failed to post $500,000 cash bail. He remains incarcerated at Howard Young Correctional Institution. Public records do not indicate whether he has retained an attorney.

Who Was Linda Stevenson

Linda Stevenson had been married to Bill for nearly 40 years. She was 64 years old at the time of her death. The couple lived in Delaware with his daughter Christina and granddaughter Ciara.

Linda founded BMB Bookkeeping within the last five years. She built the business with determination and integrity according to her obituary. Her clients became friends. She cared deeply about her work.

Linda was family-oriented. She treasured time spent making memories on family vacations with her daughter and granddaughter. She was a dedicated Philadelphia Eagles fan.

Her obituary describes her as tenacious, kind-hearted, and fiercely loyal. Her strength and resilience left an impression on everyone who knew her. Her family remembers her unwavering love.

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Bill Stevenson's Marriage to Jill Biden

Jill Tracy Jacobs married Bill Stevenson in February 1970. She was 18 years old and studying at the University of Delaware. He was 23 and a former college football player. They met on the beach in Ocean City, New Jersey in 1969.

The couple worked together after Stevenson opened the Stone Balloon Tavern and Concert Hall in 1972. The venue was located on Main Street near the University of Delaware campus. Playboy magazine later named the Stone Balloon one of the top 100 college bars in America.

Jill and Bill separated in 1974. She met Delaware Senator Joe Biden in March 1975 on a blind date arranged by Biden's brother Frank. Joe Biden had lost his first wife Neilia and infant daughter Naomi in a 1972 car accident.

A civil divorce between Jill and Bill was finalized in May 1975. During divorce proceedings, Jill petitioned for half-ownership of the Stone Balloon. The court denied her claim.

Jill married Joe Biden on June 17, 1977 at the United Nations Chapel in New York City. She became stepmother to his two sons, Beau and Hunter.

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The Stone Balloon Legacy

Bill Stevenson founded the legendary Stone Balloon music venue in 1972, hosting Bruce Springsteen and other major acts before the current murder allegations

Bill Stevenson opened the Stone Balloon Tavern and Concert Hall in February 1972. Main Street in Newark was largely vacant at the time. The venue transformed the area into a center of activity and entertainment.

The Stone Balloon hosted over 300 major national acts during its peak years. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played in August 1974 in a performance Stevenson described as legendary. Springsteen was reluctant to leave the stage during the sweltering performance.

Other performers included The Allman Brothers Band, Metallica, Dave Matthews Band, Ray Charles, Cheap Trick, Hall & Oates, George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers, Iggy Pop, and the Violent Femmes. Rolling Stone magazine once called the Stone Balloon "the best kept secret in Rock and Roll."

Stevenson ran the venue until the mid-1980s when financial troubles forced him to sell. Investors struggled to maintain the bar's direction. Elvin Steinberg purchased the Stone Balloon in 1985 and restored its reputation for music.

The original Stone Balloon closed in 2005. The building was demolished in 2006 to make way for Washington House condominiums with ground-floor retail. Multiple bars bearing the Stone Balloon name operated at the location until December 2023 when the final version closed.

Delaware Today Magazine named Stevenson one of Delaware's 50 Most Influential People Over The Last 50 Years. He was inducted into the Delaware Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

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Bill Stevenson's Life After Music

After selling the Stone Balloon, Stevenson pursued business ventures. He operated a courier company he founded in 1969. He developed an innovative plant support system called the Superstake.

He remained active in Delaware. He competed in the Senior Olympics and won gold medals in shot put in the 50-54 and 55-59 age groups over six years. He wrote a book titled "Stone Balloon: The Early Years" detailing his experiences.

Stevenson maintained connections to the music industry and Delaware community. He attended events celebrating the Stone Balloon's legacy. He signed copies of his book and spoke about the venue's history.

In 2024, Stevenson was 75 years old and described himself on social media as someone who "loves you all." He married Linda nearly 40 years before her death in December 2025.

Claims About the Biden Marriage

In August 2020, Bill Stevenson told media outlets he believed Jill had an affair with Joe Biden before their 1975 separation. Stevenson claimed he and Jill knew Joe Biden and Neilia going back to 1972. He stated he asked County Councilman Biden for help with a liquor license. He held a fundraiser for Biden's 1972 Senate campaign at the Stone Balloon.

Stevenson alleged the affair began in 1974 when Bruce Springsteen was scheduled to play at the venue. He said he asked Jill to accompany him to New Jersey to pay Springsteen in advance. She declined, saying she needed to look after Joe's sons Beau and Hunter.

A spokesman for Jill Biden responded in September 2020. The spokesman called these claims fictitious and seemingly designed to sell Stevenson's book. The spokesman stated Jill separated from her first husband in fall 1974. She moved out of their marital home. Joe and Jill had their first date in March 1975. They married in June 1977.

Stevenson criticized Jill Biden publicly in 2024 after Joe Biden's debate performance against Donald Trump. He told the New York Post the Jill Biden he saw on television was not the same person he married.

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How This Affects Different Groups

Group	Impact on Your Interests	What You Need to Know
Public Following the Case	Transparency in criminal justice process gives you insight into how grand jury investigations work. Media coverage allows you to track court proceedings.	Privacy invasion for Linda Stevenson's family creates ethical questions about coverage. Speculation without full evidence leads to misinformation. The Biden connection attracts sensational coverage unrelated to the victim.
Delaware Music Community	Stone Balloon legacy stands separate from criminal charges. Your memories of performances and the venue's cultural impact remain valid. Historical contributions to Delaware music scene are preserved.	The founder's legal troubles create uncomfortable conversations. You face difficult questions about separating art from artist. Stone Balloon reputation becomes complicated by association.
Domestic Violence Awareness Advocates	This case highlights why you need robust response systems for domestic dispute calls. Investigation thoroughness demonstrates importance of your advocacy work.	Statistics show domestic violence crosses all socioeconomic lines, supporting your message. High-profile cases sometimes overshadow systemic issues you work to address. Media focus on celebrity connection rather than prevention.
Linda Stevenson's Family	Justice system pursuing accountability provides you a path forward. Investigation took time to build strong case, showing thoroughness. You have legal recourse through criminal and civil proceedings.	Loss of your loved one creates ongoing pain. Public nature of case prevents private grieving. Media attention focuses on Bill's past rather than Linda's life. Painful details will emerge in trial.

Legal Process Moving Forward

Bill Stevenson faces one count of first-degree murder in Delaware. First-degree murder in Delaware requires proof of willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing. The charge carries potential life imprisonment.

Delaware abolished the death penalty in 2016. The maximum sentence for first-degree murder is life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

The case will proceed through Delaware's criminal court system. A preliminary hearing will determine if sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial. If bound over for trial, the case moves to Superior Court.

The prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt Bill Stevenson intentionally killed Linda Stevenson with premeditation and deliberation. The defense will have opportunity to challenge evidence and present alternative explanations.

Neither Joe Biden nor Jill Biden have publicly commented on the charges against Bill Stevenson. Representatives for the Bidens did not respond to media requests for comment.

Jill Biden's Life After Divorce

Jill Biden's first marriage to Bill Stevenson occurred when she was a teenager. She enrolled at the University of Delaware and studied English. She worked at the Stone Balloon during her marriage.

After her divorce, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Delaware in 1975. She began teaching as a substitute in Wilmington public schools. She then taught high school English full-time at St. Mark's High School.

She spent five months working in Joe Biden's Senate office. This included weekly trips with his mobile outreach operation. This was before their marriage in 1977.

Jill Biden went on to earn a Master of Education from West Chester University in 1981. She earned a Master of Arts in English from Villanova University in 1987. She earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from the University of Delaware in 2007.

She became Second Lady when Joe Biden served as Vice President from 2009 to 2017. She became First Lady when Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President on January 20, 2021. The Bidens left the White House on January 20, 2025 after Donald Trump won the 2024 election.

Joe Biden announced a diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer in April 2025, three months after leaving office. The cancer had spread to his bones.

The Stone Balloon's Cultural Impact

The Stone Balloon represented a turning point in Delaware's entertainment history. Before Stevenson opened the venue in 1972, Main Street in Newark was largely vacant.

The bar operated during the golden age of rock and roll touring. Emerging bands traveled extensively and performed at smaller venues before arena tours became the norm. The Stone Balloon provided a platform for artists early in their careers.

Bruce Springsteen's 1974 performance became legendary in Delaware music lore. Stevenson convinced Springsteen to perform by paying him in advance. The show occurred during Springsteen's rise to fame following the release of "The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle."

After the Springsteen performance, booking any act became easier. Stevenson told hesitant bands "Bruce Springsteen played here." This single show transformed the venue's reputation.

MTV broadcast from the Stone Balloon in the early 1980s during the network's formative years. This national exposure cemented the venue's reputation beyond Delaware.

The Stone Balloon's famous mug nights sold over 10,000 commemorative glass mugs during owner Elvin Steinberg's tenure alone. The tradition continued with plastic mugs in later years. Students purchased mugs and received discounted refills every Thursday.

Local Delaware bands like Jack of Diamonds, Dakota, and Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers developed their followings at the Stone Balloon. The venue balanced national touring acts with support for regional talent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Bill Stevenson

Bill Stevenson is a 77-year-old former businessman and the first husband of former First Lady Jill Biden. He founded the Stone Balloon Tavern and Concert Hall in Newark, Delaware in 1972. He is currently charged with first-degree murder in the death of his second wife, Linda Stevenson.

When was Jill Biden married to Bill Stevenson

Jill Biden married Bill Stevenson in February 1970 when she was 18 years old and a University of Delaware student. They divorced in May 1975 after separating in 1974. She married Joe Biden in June 1977.

What was the Stone Balloon

The Stone Balloon Tavern and Concert Hall was a music venue in Newark, Delaware. Bill Stevenson founded the bar in 1972. The venue operated until 2005. Playboy magazine named the Stone Balloon one of the top 100 college bars in America. Major acts including Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, and Dave Matthews Band performed there.

What happened to Linda Stevenson

Linda Stevenson, 64, was found dead in her Oak Hill, Delaware home on December 28, 2025. Police responded to a domestic dispute call around 11:15 p.m. Officers found her unresponsive in the living room. Police charged her husband Bill Stevenson with first-degree murder on February 3, 2026 after a month-long investigation.

How did Joe Biden and Jill Biden meet

Joe Biden and Jill Biden met in March 1975 on a blind date arranged by Joe's brother Frank. Jill had separated from Bill Stevenson in 1974. Their divorce was finalized in May 1975. Joe proposed five times before Jill accepted. They married on June 17, 1977 at the United Nations Chapel in New York City.

What You Need to Know Now

Bill Stevenson's arrest on murder charges represents a significant criminal case in Delaware. The charges stem from the December 28, 2025 death of his wife Linda after police responded to a domestic dispute.

Stevenson's connection to Jill Biden ended nearly 50 years ago with their 1975 divorce. The current criminal case has no connection to the Biden family beyond Stevenson's past marriage to Jill.

The legal process will determine guilt or innocence through Delaware's court system. Stevenson is entitled to presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. The prosecution must present evidence establishing all elements of first-degree murder.

The Stone Balloon stands as an important part of Delaware's cultural history regardless of the criminal charges against its founder. The venue contributed to the state's music scene and provided a platform for legendary performers.

Linda Stevenson's family deserves justice and privacy during this difficult time. The focus should remain on the victim and the criminal justice process rather than sensationalized connections to political figures.

This case serves as a reminder domestic violence affects all communities regardless of wealth, fame, or social status. Anyone experiencing domestic violence should contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.