Linda Broderick, 28, was one of Betty Broderick's victims.
The "Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story" (opens in new tab) season (opens in new tab), which will be released on June 2, takes one of the most litigated divorces of the 1980s and then the double murder that rocked California and the nation (opens in new Opens in a new tab), which depicts the Betty Broderick, the despised former lover of famed medical malpractice attorney Daniel Broderick, broke into the house Dan shared with his new wife, Linda Broderick, in the dead of night and murdered them both. Those familiar with the story already know the long saga of Betty and Daniel, but what about his new wife Linda (played by Rachel Keller), who was only 28 years old when she died?
Linda came from a strict Catholic family, and according to "Hell Hath No Fury" (opens in new tab), her mother died when she was 11. She had a strong work ethic, began babysitting as a teenager, and after high school became a stewardess for Delta Air Lines. While on board as a passenger, she was asked to leave because she used profanity to another stewardess; in 1982, her relationship ended and she came to California.
That same year, Daniel Broderick hired the 22-year-old as his legal assistant, and although they denied having a relationship until they separated, it was clear that something had happened while he was married to Betty. Betty later said (opens in new tab) that while on vacation while they were still married, "on one of our walks, he told me he didn't love me anymore. Some time later, after she came to his office to celebrate his birthday, she discovered that he had already gone out with Linda to celebrate.
Betty became agitated and temperamental and set his clothes on fire on the lawn as the children watched. Her behavior escalated, leaving threatening and angry voicemails, defacing the family's property, and driving her car into the front of their new house.
But it wasn't just Betty - at trial her housekeeper testified (open in new tab) that Linda entered Betty's home without permission and took the papers. (Earlier, Betty had taken a wedding guest list from Daniel and Linda's house, and Linda may have been trying to get it back.) She then went back a few hours later and returned the documents.
Apparently Linda was so concerned that she asked Daniel to wear a bulletproof vest to the wedding. Instead, the couple hired a security guard and Betty did not show up. The behavior did not improve after the wedding. A book was missing from Linda's bedside table. 'She said she was surprised when her ex-wife came to the house one night. She was terrified of it and asked me to tell Dan about it. I didn't, and I will probably regret it for the rest of my life."
[12On November 5, 1989, Betty murdered the couple seven months after their marriage (open in new tab).
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