Betty Broderick, the woman convicted of killing her ex-husband, Dan Broderick, and his new wife, Linda Kolkena, in 1989, has passed away at the age of 78 while serving two consecutive life sentences in prison. Her son, Daniel Broderick, has now shared new details about her death, revealing that she had been suffering from multiple health issues before her passing.
In a statement to TMZ, Daniel explained that his mother had been dealing with septic infections and had suffered a serious fall at the California Institution for Women about three weeks before her death, resulting in broken ribs. He also confirmed that Betty was placed on life support at an off-site ICU and was unable to communicate before passing away. Daniel added that she was surrounded by all four of her children when she died on May 8, 2026.
Health Complications Before Death
Betty had been receiving medical care at an outside facility after being transferred from the prison for higher-level care. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) confirmed that Betty was transported on April 18 and was pronounced dead on May 8 at 3:40 a.m. local time. The cause of death was initially determined to be natural causes by a medical doctor, with the San Bernardino County Coroner set to provide a final ruling.
Due to privacy laws, the CDCR stated that they could not release further details about Betty’s medical condition but did confirm the general timeline of her hospitalization and death.
The Tragic History of Betty Broderick
Betty Broderick’s case gained national attention after she was convicted of the double homicide of her ex-husband and his new wife. The crime occurred on November 5, 1989, when Betty, distraught over her ex-husband’s affair and subsequent divorce, shot and killed Dan and Linda in their bed. Betty had been married to Dan since 1969 and shared four children with him. Their marriage deteriorated in the 1980s due to Danās affair with Linda, which ultimately led to their divorce.
In 1991, Betty was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive 15-to-life terms, plus an additional two years for illegal firearm use. Despite her conviction, Betty maintained that she was a victim of domestic abuse and coercive control throughout her marriage. In a letter to the producers of Murder Made Me Famous, Betty described herself as a “political prisoner” and claimed she should have been released on parole years earlier.
Betty’s parole hearing was scheduled for 2032, at which time she would have been 84 years old.
A Complex Legacy
While Betty’s life in prison was marked by defiance and ongoing legal battles, her death brings an end to a chapter that has intrigued and shocked the public for decades. Her sonās account of her final moments highlights the personal toll the family endured as they faced not only the weight of her actions but also the complicated emotions surrounding her death.
