The Unseen Life Of Betty Broderick: 7 Shocking Facts About Her Prison Sentence And 2032 Parole Hearing

Decades after the chilling double murder that rocked San Diego's elite legal community, Betty Broderick remains one of the most polarizing figures in modern true crime history. Her story—a descent from a privileged suburban housewife to a convicted killer—has been retold in books, movies, and the popular series Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story, keeping public curiosity alive.

As of December 2025, Betty Broderick is still incarcerated, serving her sentence of 32 years to life at the California Institution for Women. The most critical update for those following her case is that her next parole eligibility hearing is not until January 2032, a date that will mark over four decades since she committed the shocking crime. This article provides a deep dive into her life, the crime, and her current status behind bars.

Elisabeth Anne "Betty" Broderick: A Complete Biographical Profile

• Full Name: Elisabeth Anne Bisceglia (Maiden Name), Elisabeth Anne Broderick (Married Name)
• Date of Birth: November 7, 1947
• Place of Birth: Eastchester, New York, U.S.
• Education: Graduated from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 1969.
• Spouse: Daniel T. Broderick III (m. 1969; div. 1989; deceased 1989)
• Children: Kim Broderick (b. 1970), Lee Broderick (b. 1971), Daniel Broderick Jr. (b. 1976), and Rhett Broderick (b. 1979)
• Victims: Daniel T. Broderick III and Linda Kolkena Broderick
• Crime Committed: Double Murder (Two counts of second-degree murder)
• Date of Crime: November 5, 1989
• Conviction Date: December 11, 1991
• Sentence: 32 years to life in state prison (two consecutive terms of 15 years to life, plus two years for illegal use of a firearm)
• Current Status: Incarcerated at the California Institution for Women (CIW)
• Next Parole Eligibility: January 2032

The High-Conflict Divorce and the Path to Double Murder

The saga of Betty and Dan Broderick began as a seemingly perfect love story. They married in 1969, a union that saw Betty taking on the role of the primary homemaker while Dan pursued his medical degree at Cornell University and then a law degree at Harvard Law School. Betty supported the family, often working to put Dan through school and managing their four children, Kim, Lee, Daniel Jr., and Rhett. Dan Broderick eventually became a highly successful medical malpractice attorney in San Diego, leading to a life of affluence for the family.

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The marriage began to unravel in 1983 when Dan hired Linda Kolkena, a former flight attendant, as his legal assistant. Betty immediately suspected an affair, which Dan vehemently denied for years. The divorce proceedings that followed were notoriously acrimonious, lasting five years and becoming a textbook case of a "scorched-earth" legal battle. Betty claimed Dan used his legal prowess and connections to financially and emotionally abuse her, while Dan claimed Betty was an unstable, vengeful harasser.

The divorce, finalized in 1989, stripped Betty of the life she had built. She felt betrayed by Dan, who had married Linda Kolkena just seven months before the murders. Betty's mental health deteriorated dramatically during this period. She left abusive phone messages, trespassed on Dan’s property, and committed acts of vandalism. The true crime narrative often focuses on the intense emotional and psychological toll the custody battle and financial dispute took on Betty, leading to a public debate over whether she was a calculated killer or a victim of extreme marital cruelty who snapped.

Inside the Crime: The Morning of November 5, 1989

On the morning of Sunday, November 5, 1989, just two days before her 42nd birthday, Betty Broderick drove to the Marston Hills home of her ex-husband and his new wife. She used a key she had stolen from her daughter, Kim, to enter the house. Carrying a revolver she had purchased with a friend, Betty walked into the master bedroom where Dan and Linda were sleeping. She fired five shots, killing Linda Kolkena instantly and mortally wounding Daniel T. Broderick III.

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After the shooting, Betty called her daughter, Lee, to report the crime, saying she had "shot Dan and Linda" and asking her to call the police. She then turned herself in to the authorities. The subsequent trials, including a mistrial due to a hung jury, captivated the nation. The prosecution argued it was a premeditated double murder, while the defense argued it was a case of "battered woman syndrome" and a crime of passion, fueled by years of emotional abuse and provocation.

Ultimately, in December 1991, a jury convicted Betty Broderick of two counts of second-degree murder. She was sentenced to 32 years to life in prison, a punishment that reflected the gravity of the crime but still allowed for the possibility of parole after serving the minimum term.

Betty Broderick Now: Prison Life and the Road to 2032

Betty Broderick is currently serving her sentence at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino, California. Her life behind bars is one of routine and isolation, a stark contrast to the lavish San Diego lifestyle she once enjoyed. The case has achieved a renewed cultural significance thanks to the Dirty John series, bringing a new generation of true crime enthusiasts to her story. This renewed interest often sparks questions about her current status and freedom.

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Betty Broderick has been denied parole on two separate occasions. The first denial occurred in January 2010. Seven years later, in January 2017, a two-member panel of the California parole board again voted unanimously that she was not suitable for release. During both hearings, the board cited a lack of remorse and her failure to show sufficient insight into the severity of her crimes. Her lack of accountability for the double murder has been a recurring theme in the parole board's decision-making process.

The latest official update confirms that Betty Broderick's next parole hearing is scheduled for January 2032. By that time, she will be 84 years old and will have been incarcerated for over 42 years. Her release will depend on her ability to demonstrate to the parole board that she is no longer a risk to society and has genuinely reformed, a high bar given her previous denials and her consistent public stance that she was justified in her actions.

The Legacy of the Broderick Children

The lasting impact of the tragedy is perhaps most evident in the lives of the Broderick children: Kim, Lee, Daniel Jr., and Rhett. The four siblings were caught in the crossfire of their parents' toxic divorce and the subsequent murders. After Betty's incarceration, the two youngest sons, Daniel Jr. and Rhett, were placed in the custody of their uncle's ex-wife, Kathy Broderick.

Despite the trauma, the Broderick siblings remain a close unit today. Their views on their mother's continued incarceration are complex and divided. Some of the children have publicly supported her release, arguing she has served enough time and should be allowed to live out her remaining years outside of prison. Others have acknowledged the severity of the crime and the need for her to remain incarcerated. Their ongoing closeness is a testament to their resilience in the face of a devastating family tragedy that continues to define their lives and the broader conversation around domestic violence and justice.