The Unrepentant Killer: Where Is Betty Broderick Now And What Is Her Next Parole Date?

As of December 2025, Betty Broderick, the notorious San Diego socialite who murdered her ex-husband and his new wife, remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Corona. Now 78 years old, she has spent over three decades behind bars, serving a sentence of 32 years to life for the 1989 double homicide of Daniel T. Broderick III and his second wife, Linda Kolkena Broderick. Her quest for freedom has been repeatedly denied by the parole board, who have consistently cited her lack of remorse and failure to accept full responsibility for the crime as primary reasons for keeping her imprisoned. The case that captivated the nation—the brutal culmination of a bitter five-year divorce—continues to draw public fascination, especially following its dramatization in the popular true crime series *Dirty John*. Betty Broderick is currently serving a sentence of two consecutive terms of 15 years to life, plus an additional two years for the illegal use of a firearm. The most critical update for those following her story is that her next opportunity for parole is not until 2032, at which point she will be 84 years old.

Betty Broderick: A Comprehensive Biography and Case Profile

Elisabeth Anne "Betty" Broderick’s life story is a tragic trajectory from devoted housewife and mother to convicted killer. She became a symbol of spousal abandonment and rage, with her case sparking a national debate on emotional abuse versus criminal culpability.

• Full Name: Elisabeth Anne Broderick (née Bisceglia)
• Date of Birth: November 7, 1947
• Current Age (December 2025): 78 years old
• Place of Birth: Bronxville, New York
• Education: Graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 1969
• Spouse: Daniel T. Broderick III (m. 1969; div. 1989)
• Victims: Daniel T. Broderick III and Linda Kolkena Broderick
• Date of Murders: November 5, 1989
• Conviction: Two counts of second-degree murder (1991)
• Sentence: 32 years to life
• Children: Kim Broderick (b. 1970), Lee Broderick (b. 1971), Daniel Broderick Jr. (b. 1976), and Rhett Broderick (b. 1979)
• Current Location: California Institution for Women (CIW) in Corona, California

The Path to Incarceration: From San Diego Socialite to Convicted Murderer

The Brodericks' story began as a classic American dream. Betty met Dan at the University of Notre Dame, and she worked tirelessly to support him through medical school at Cornell and then law school at Harvard. They moved to San Diego, where Dan established himself as a prominent medical malpractice attorney, and Betty managed their upscale home and raised their four children. The marriage began to crumble in 1983 when Dan, then 38, began an affair with Linda Kolkena, a 21-year-old former flight attendant he had hired as his legal assistant. The subsequent divorce was a protracted, five-year legal battle known in San Diego County as one of the nastiest in history. Betty felt betrayed and financially ruined, claiming Dan used his legal expertise to manipulate the proceedings. The emotional toll led to erratic behavior, including numerous confrontations, vandalism of Dan’s property, and threatening messages. The tragic climax occurred on November 5, 1989, when Betty used a key she had stolen from her daughter to enter Dan and Linda’s Marston Hills home and shot them both dead as they slept. The ensuing trials were highly publicized. The first trial ended in a hung jury, but the second in 1991 resulted in a conviction for two counts of second-degree murder. Betty was sentenced to 32 years to life in prison, the maximum allowed under the law at the time.

Parole Denials and The Unrepentant Stance: Why Betty Broderick Remains Locked Up

Betty Broderick has been eligible for parole several times since her incarceration began in 1992, but she has been denied at every hearing: 2010, 2011 (upon appeal), and most recently in 2017. The consistent reason for the denials stems from the parole board's assessment that she still poses an unreasonable risk to society. During her 2017 hearing, Deputy District Attorney Richard Sachs argued that Betty was "defiant" and "unrepentant." The parole board commissioner echoed this sentiment, famously stating, "Your heart is still bitter, and you are still angry. You show no remorse." Betty, on the other hand, has maintained that she was a victim of psychological abuse and financial manipulation, arguing that her actions were the result of years of provocation. In a letter she wrote to a producer after one of her parole denials, Betty stated that she had "met all criteria for parole," continuing to believe she has paid her debt to society. This unwavering stance, where she places the blame for the murders on the emotional turmoil caused by her ex-husband, is precisely what the California Board of Parole Hearings has deemed a lack of insight into the gravity of her crime. Her next scheduled parole hearing is set for 2032. Given her advanced age and the board’s continued focus on her lack of remorse, it remains highly unlikely that she will be released, though her legal team may continue to argue for her release based on her age and time served.

The Broderick Children Today: Life After Tragedy

The most enduring tragedy of the Broderick case is the impact on the four children: Kim, Lee, Daniel Jr., and Rhett. Now adults in their 40s and 50s, their lives were irrevocably shaped by the double murder and the subsequent loss of both parents—one to death and one to prison. The children are divided in their support for their mother's release.

• Rhett Broderick: The youngest son, Rhett, has publicly stated that he believes his mother should be released, noting that she is not a threat to society and has served enough time.
• Kim and Lee Broderick: The daughters have also expressed support for their mother's eventual release, with Kim publishing a book about her experience.
• Daniel Broderick Jr.: The eldest son, Daniel Jr., has taken a more neutral or cautious stance, indicating that he respects the parole board's decision to keep her incarcerated. Daniel Jr. is now married and has three daughters, who are Betty’s grandchildren, whom she has only seen during supervised prison visits.

Despite the turmoil, the four Broderick children have remained a close-knit family, offering a complex and often contradictory perspective on their mother’s fate. They represent the lasting legacy of the San Diego double murder, forced to navigate a life that became a national cautionary tale about divorce, betrayal, and violence. Betty Broderick’s life today is one of quiet confinement within the walls of CIW, a stark contrast to the affluent socialite life she once led. Her story, cemented in true crime lore by the *Dirty John* podcast and series, continues to serve as a chilling reminder of how a bitter divorce can spiral into irreversible tragedy, with the final chapter likely to be written only when she is 84, at her 2032 parole hearing.