5 Chilling Facts About Dan And Linda Broderick's Tragic End And Betty Broderick's 2032 Parole Status

The shocking 1989 double murder of prominent San Diego attorney Daniel T. Broderick III and his new wife, Linda Kolkena Broderick, remains one of America's most infamous true crime cases, primarily due to the intense media scrutiny and the killer's identity: Dan's ex-wife, Betty Broderick. This tragedy, which unfolded on November 5, 1989, was the culmination of a five-year, highly acrimonious divorce and custody battle that earned the moniker "Broderick vs. Broderick." As of today, December 18, 2025, the story continues to generate headlines, not just for its dramatic past, but for the ongoing legal status of Betty Broderick, who is currently serving a sentence of 32 years to life and was most recently denied parole, making her next scheduled hearing a distant 2032.

The case of Dan and Linda Broderick transcends a simple crime story; it’s a cautionary tale about the destructive power of a bitter divorce and emotional abuse, explored in-depth by media like the television series Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story. While the focus often shifts to the perpetrator, understanding the lives and careers of Dan and Linda provides essential context to the dramatic events that led to their untimely deaths in their Marston Hills home.

The Complete Biography and Profile of Daniel T. Broderick III and Linda Kolkena Broderick

To fully grasp the magnitude of the tragedy, it is important to first establish the backgrounds of the victims, who were a successful, high-profile couple in the San Diego community.

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Daniel T. Broderick III (Victim)

• Full Name: Daniel Thomas Broderick III.
• Born: 1944 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (raised in a large Irish Catholic family, one of nine children).
• Education: Attended Cornell University Medical School and Harvard Law School, holding both an M.D. and a J.D. degree.
• Career: Became a highly successful and wealthy medical malpractice attorney in San Diego, California. He was a former president of the San Diego County Bar Association, establishing him as a powerful figure in the local legal community.
• First Marriage: Married Elisabeth "Betty" Bisceglia in 1969; they had four children: Kimberly, Lee, Daniel IV, and Rhett.
• Second Marriage: Married Linda Kolkena in April 1989.
• Death: Fatally shot on November 5, 1989, at the age of 44.

Linda Bernadette Kolkena Broderick (Victim)

• Maiden Name: Linda Bernadette Kolkena.
• Born: 1961 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
• Career: Hired by Dan Broderick as his legal assistant or secretary in 1983, shortly before Dan’s separation from Betty. She was described as a 20-something aspiring housewife and mother.
• Relationship with Dan: Their affair began while Dan was still married to Betty, becoming a central catalyst for the Brodericks' tumultuous divorce.
• Marriage: Married Dan Broderick in April 1989, just seven months before the murder.
• Death: Fatally shot on November 5, 1989, at the age of 28.

The Bitter Divorce: The Broderick vs. Broderick Legal War

The relationship between Dan and Linda was inextricably linked to the breakdown of Dan’s marriage to Betty. The divorce proceedings, which began in 1985, were protracted, hostile, and arguably one of the most contentious cases in San Diego history. The legal battle lasted for five years, a period Betty described as a campaign of emotional and financial abuse by her lawyer-husband.

Dan, a seasoned medical malpractice lawyer, represented himself in the proceedings, using his legal expertise against his wife. This created a profound power imbalance that Betty felt was insurmountable. Betty accused Dan of gaslighting her and manipulating the court system. The case became known as "Broderick vs. Broderick" due to the endless legal maneuvering and the sheer venom involved.

Key flashpoints during the legal war included Dan gaining sole custody of the four Broderick children—Kimberly, Lee, Daniel IV, and Rhett—and Betty's increasingly erratic and destructive behavior. Betty's actions included vandalism of Dan’s property, driving her car into his front door, and leaving obscene messages on his answering machine. These actions, while understandable as a reaction to perceived betrayal, were used against her in court.

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The divorce was finalized in 1989. Dan and Linda married soon after. The final act of the tragedy occurred just months later, on the morning of November 5, 1989, when Betty used a key she had stolen from one of her daughters to enter Dan and Linda’s upscale home and shot them in their bed.

The Broderick Children Today: Navigating a Legacy of Tragedy

The enduring legacy of the Dan and Linda Broderick murders rests heavily on the lives of the four children. Kimberly, Lee, Daniel IV, and Rhett Broderick were left without either parent—their father murdered and their mother incarcerated. Their experiences have been a critical, though often private, part of the story.

Following the murders, the children were raised by relatives. As adults, the Broderick children have offered varying perspectives on their parents and the case. Some, like their son Daniel IV, have reportedly testified in support of their mother’s parole, believing she was driven to the act by years of psychological torment. Others, like daughter Lee, have offered more complex and critical views of their mother's actions.

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The children's lives were irrevocably shaped by the events of 1989. They have had to navigate the public scrutiny and the media's fascination with their family's tragedy. Despite their tumultuous upbringing and the profound division in their family, reports indicate that the four siblings have maintained a close relationship with one another into adulthood, a testament to their resilience.

Betty Broderick's Current Status and Next Parole Hearing in 2032

The "Broderick vs. Broderick" saga is not a closed chapter. Betty Broderick, now in her late 70s, is serving her sentence of 32 years to life at the California Institution for Women. Her eligibility for parole has brought the case back into the spotlight multiple times, providing the most recent updates on the story of Dan and Linda Broderick.

Betty Broderick has appeared before the parole board twice. In both 2010 and 2017, she was denied release. During these hearings, the parole board cited her lack of remorse and her "unrepentant" attitude regarding the murders of Dan and Linda. She has consistently maintained that she was a victim of emotional and legal abuse who snapped, rather than a cold-blooded killer.

The most recent decision from the parole board determined that Betty Broderick would not be eligible for another hearing until 2032. This ruling ensures that the high-profile killer will remain in prison for the foreseeable future, nearly 43 years after she committed the double homicide. The tragic events of 1989 continue to cast a long shadow, with the ultimate fate of Betty Broderick—and the final resolution for the families of Dan and Linda—still years away.

The ongoing legal process, coupled with the continued interest in the true crime genre, ensures that the names Dan Broderick, Linda Kolkena, and Betty Broderick remain part of the cultural lexicon, a chilling reminder of a divorce that ended in a fatal outburst of violence.