Betty Broderick: The Tragic Tale and Suffering of a Devoted Wife’s Descent into Murder

Betty’s marriage to Dan ended when he cheated on her and eventually divorced her after she had spent decades sacrificing for her husband’s career and supporting their family. She took matters into her own hands out of desperation and distress and fatally shot Dan and his new wife, Linda.

Elisabeth “Betty” Broderick was led by marshals through the downtown San Diego County Courthouse on her way to a detention cell after her verdict for the murder of her ex-husband Dan and his new wife Linda. | Photo credit: (latimes.com / Don Kohlbauer / San Diego Union-Tribune)

Dan Broderick (44 years old) and Linda Kolkena (28 years old) were shot to death in their bedroom on November 5, 1989. Linda was shot in the head and chest, while Dan was shot in the chest. Shortly after the incident, the shooter turned herself in to authorities. The shooter was revealed to be Dan’s ex-wife, Betty.

Dan and Betty Broderick on their wedding day in 1969, at Immaculate Conception Church in New York. | Photo credit: cbs8.com / KFMB

Dan Broderick met Betty in 1965. Dan was a medical student at the time, while Betty was a model. After four years…