Infamous San Diego Socialite Who Killed Ex-Husband and His New Wife Dies in Prison

SAN DIEGO — Betty Broderick, the former San Diego socialite convicted in one of California’s most infamous double murder cases, has died in prison at 78.

Broderick was serving a 32-years-to-life sentence for killing her ex-husband, Daniel Broderick, and his new wife, Linda Kolkena Broderick, inside their San Diego home in 1989.

The case became nationally known because of the bitter divorce, the wealthy social circle surrounding the couple, and the violent ending to a marriage that had already fallen apart in public.

Betty and Daniel Broderick had been married for years and had children together before their relationship collapsed. Daniel, a successful attorney, later married Linda Kolkena, who had once worked as his legal assistant. Betty claimed the divorce and custody battle destroyed her emotionally, but prosecutors said she carried out a calculated act of revenge.

On November 5, 1989, Broderick used a key she had taken from her daughter to enter Daniel and Linda’s home while they were sleeping. She went upstairs with a revolver and opened fire in their bedroom.

Linda was killed in the bed. Daniel was also shot and died from his injuries. After the shooting, Betty never denied pulling the trigger, but she argued the killings were not planned.

A jury later convicted her of two counts of second-degree murder. She was sentenced to 32 years to life and spent the rest of her life behind bars at the California Institution for Women in Chino.

Over the years, Broderick became one of the most talked-about true crime figures in the country. Her case inspired books, TV movies, documentaries, and the series “Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story.”

She was repeatedly denied parole, with officials pointing to her lack of remorse and refusal to fully accept responsibility for the murders.

Prison officials said Broderick was moved to an outside medical facility in April after needing a higher level of care. She died on May 8, 2026, from natural causes.

Her death closes the final chapter in a case that remained controversial for decades, with some seeing her as a woman broken by divorce and others remembering her as the killer who murdered two people in their sleep.