A shadow fell over Wilmington, Delaware, as William Stevenson, 77, entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of murder. The victim: his wife of forty years, Linda Stevenson, found unresponsive in their home just before the new year. The case has ignited a quiet storm of attention, not just for the tragedy itself, but for a past connection Stevenson holds to a prominent American figure.
Linda Stevenson, 64, was remembered by those who knew her as a devoted mother and grandmother, a woman whose life revolved around family and a passionate allegiance to the Philadelphia Eagles. Her obituary, a testament to a life well-lived, notably omitted any mention of her husband, a silence that now feels profoundly unsettling. She operated a bookkeeping business, quietly contributing to her community.
William Stevenson, once the energetic founder of the beloved Delaware music venue Stone Balloon, appeared in court via remote connection. He currently remains in custody, held on $2 million bail, as the investigation into Linda’s death continues to unfold. The details surrounding the circumstances of her passing remain closely guarded.
The grief expressed by Linda’s daughter, Christine Vettori, is a raw and heartbreaking echo of the loss. In a poignant Facebook post, she described a pain so intense it stole her breath, an “abyss” of emptiness left by her mother’s absence. Her words paint a picture of a devastating and deeply personal sorrow.
Decades before this tragedy, Stevenson’s life intersected with that of Jill Biden. He was her first husband, marrying her in 1970 when she was a young student at the University of Delaware. The marriage lasted five years, ending in divorce, a chapter in both their lives that seemed long past.
Despite the passage of time, Stevenson had previously spoken of his former wife, acknowledging a lingering critical perspective but claiming not to harbor bitterness. He even credited the divorce with ultimately leading him to Linda, whom he described as “the greatest thing in my life” in a 2020 interview. A complex sentiment, now viewed through the lens of current events.
Jill Biden, of course, went on to marry former President Joe Biden, forging a path that led to the White House. The echoes of Stevenson’s past now reverberate with a new weight, a stark reminder of the unexpected connections that bind lives together, even across decades and vastly different circumstances.
