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Murders of Daniel Broderick III and Linda Kolkena

Betty Bisceglia met 21-year-old Daniel Broderick III in 1965 when she was 17. Dan pursued Betty, and eventually, they became a couple. They married on April 12th, 1969, and had five children, although one died soon after his birth.

Betty cared for the family while Dan completed a medical degree and later a law degree. In October 1983, Betty suspected Dan was sleeping with his assistant, 21-year-old Linda Kolkena, but he denied it.

In February 1985, Dan moved out. He later confessed to the affair and filed for divorce. The divorce was finalized in 1989 and Dan married Linda on April 22nd, 1989.

Betty refused to move on. She vandalized his home, left threatening voicemails, and violated restraining orders.

At 5:30 am on November 5th, 1989, she walked into Dan and Linda’s home using a key she stole from her daughter. She killed Linda first, and then she killed Dan.

She left the scene but turned herself in later that day. At her first trial, she claimed to be a battered wife. A mistrial was declared because two jurors voted for manslaughter.

She was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder at her second trial and was sentenced to two 15-year life sentences.

She has been eligible for parole three times, but she has been denied due to lack of remorse. Her next parole hearing will be in 2032, when she is 86.

Death

The 78-year-old died at a medical center in Chino, California, on May 8th, 2026, while serving her sentence. One of her sons said he and his siblings were present when she passed away.

The public had mixed emotions about her death, as she had many supporters who felt Dan and Linda pushed her to do what she did.