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The Tragic Timeline Of Daniel Broderick: 7 Shocking Facts About The Attorney Murdered By His Ex-Wife

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The name Daniel Broderick III is inextricably linked to one of the most sensational and tragic double homicides in modern American history. As of today, December 18, 2025, the case continues to draw morbid fascination, largely due to the ongoing imprisonment and parole status of his ex-wife, Elisabeth "Betty" Broderick. Broderick, a highly successful and respected medical malpractice attorney in San Diego, was a man who seemingly had it all—a flourishing career, a beautiful family, and a powerful social standing—until his life was brutally cut short in a crime of passion that shocked the nation. The story of Daniel Broderick is not just about a murder; it is a complex narrative of ambition, betrayal, and a divorce so acrimonious it became a legal legend.

The details surrounding his death on November 5, 1989, along with his new wife, Linda Kolkena Broderick, are a chilling reminder of how personal turmoil can escalate into unimaginable violence. The narrative has been immortalized in books, movies, and the popular series Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story, but the true, raw facts of Daniel Broderick’s life and the legal saga that followed remain a powerful, cautionary tale.

Daniel T. Broderick III: A Complete Biography and Profile

Daniel T. Broderick III was a man of remarkable academic and professional achievement, whose life trajectory was marked by intense dedication and success. His biography paints a picture of a driven individual who excelled in multiple demanding fields.

  • Full Name: Daniel Thomas Broderick III
  • Born: 1944, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Parents: Daniel Broderick Jr. and his wife (He was one of nine children in a large Irish Catholic family.)
  • First Marriage: Elisabeth "Betty" Bisceglia (Married 1969)
  • Children: Kimberly "Kim" Broderick (b. 1970), Lee Broderick (b. 1971, also known as Kathy), Daniel Broderick IV (b. 1976), and Rhett Broderick (b. 1979) (4 children total)
  • Education:
    • Undergraduate: University of Notre Dame
    • Medical Degree: Cornell Medical College (He decided not to practice medicine.)
    • Law Degree: Harvard Law School (Graduated early 1970s)
  • Career: Prominent Medical Malpractice Attorney in San Diego. He was a former President of the San Diego County Bar Association.
  • Second Marriage: Linda Kolkena (Married April 1989)
  • Date of Death: November 5, 1989 (Age 44)
  • Cause of Death: Fatally shot by his ex-wife, Betty Broderick.
  • Burial: Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, California.

The "Broderick vs. Broderick" Divorce: A Legal Nightmare

The five-year divorce battle between Daniel and Betty Broderick, which spanned from 1985 to 1989, became infamous in legal circles and was dubbed the "worst divorce case in San Diego history." The breakdown of the marriage began when Daniel, after achieving significant professional success, left Betty for his much younger legal assistant, Linda Kolkena, in 1983. This act of infidelity and subsequent legal maneuvering created an explosive, high-stakes conflict.

The proceedings were characterized by extreme hostility and legal complexity. Daniel, a highly skilled attorney, represented himself for a period, giving him a distinct advantage over Betty, who struggled to retain consistent legal counsel. Betty later claimed that Daniel used his legal expertise and influence to subject her to "overt emotional terrorism," systematically dismantling her life and financial security.

Key points of the bitter divorce included:

  • Custody Battle: Daniel successfully obtained full custody of their four children, Kim, Lee, Daniel IV, and Rhett. This loss of her children was a devastating blow to Betty.
  • Financial Disputes: The division of Daniel’s substantial wealth, earned during their marriage, was fiercely contested. Betty felt she was entitled to half of his earnings, which she believed she helped him achieve by working and raising their children while he completed his education.
  • The Family Home: Daniel was granted the authority to sell the family home, a significant point of contention that further fueled Betty's rage.
  • Disinheritance: In a shocking move that came to light later, Daniel Broderick amended his will to specifically disinherit one of his daughters, though the exact reasons remain complex and tied to the family turmoil.

The Double Homicide and Betty Broderick's Imprisonment

The tragic climax of the Broderick saga occurred in the early morning hours of November 5, 1989. Betty Broderick, using a key she had retained, entered Daniel and Linda’s new home in the Marston Hills neighborhood of San Diego. She proceeded to the master bedroom, where she shot and killed both Daniel T. Broderick III and Linda Kolkena Broderick as they slept.

Linda Kolkena, born in 1961, was only 28 years old at the time of her death. She was the youngest of four sisters, a former flight attendant, and had married Daniel just seven months prior in April 1989.

The subsequent legal proceedings were highly publicized. Betty Broderick was tried twice. The first trial resulted in a hung jury, as the public and jury were divided on whether she was a cold-blooded murderer or a victim of emotional abuse who had snapped. The second trial in 1991, however, resulted in a conviction. Betty was found guilty of two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 32 years to life in the California Institute for Women.

The Latest Update: Betty Broderick's 2032 Parole Date

The story of Daniel Broderick continues to make headlines because of the ongoing status of his killer. Betty Broderick has been eligible for parole multiple times over the years, but she has been consistently denied release. The parole board has cited her lack of remorse and her continued refusal to accept full responsibility for the murders of Daniel and Linda as primary reasons for the denials.

The most recent and definitive update on the case is that Betty Broderick's next parole hearing is scheduled for 2032. At that time, she will be 84 years old. This decision ensures that the man who was once a pillar of the San Diego legal community, Daniel Broderick, and his wife, Linda, will not have their killer released for the foreseeable future, maintaining the sentence of life imprisonment.

The children of Daniel and Betty—Kim, Lee, Daniel IV, and Rhett—have all expressed complex and often conflicting feelings about their mother's imprisonment and potential release, a testament to the enduring trauma caused by the Broderick family tragedy.

daniel broderick
daniel broderick

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