If you’ve spent any time watching true crime documentaries or scrolled through the "Dirty John" series on Netflix, the name Betty Broderick probably hits like a ton of bricks. It’s one of those cases that doesn't just go away. People are still fascinated by the suburban socialite who traded her Chanel suits for a prison jumpsuit after one of the most infamous double homicides in California history. Naturally, the question pops up every time a new dramatization airs: Is Betty Broderick still alive 2024? Yes. She is very much alive.
As of early 2024, Elisabeth "Betty" Broderick is 76 years old. She isn’t living in a La Jolla mansion, though. She’s currently an inmate at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino. She’s been there for decades, and honestly, the chances of her ever walking out as a free woman are looking pretty slim at this point.
The Reality of Betty Broderick’s Life Today
Life inside the California Institution for Women isn't exactly a secret, but it's a world away from the high-society circles Betty once navigated. When people ask if is Betty Broderick still alive 2024, they’re often looking for a redemption story or a final chapter. The truth is more of a stalemate.
Betty was sentenced to 32-years-to-life back in 1991. She was convicted on two counts of second-degree murder for killing her ex-husband, Dan Broderick, and his new wife, Linda Kolkena. Since then, she’s become a fixture of the California penal system. According to records from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), she remains incarcerated and has been denied parole every single time she's stood before the board.
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The most recent update on her status is a bit of a waiting game. Her last parole hearing was in 2017. It didn't go well. The board denied her release for the maximum period allowed at the time—15 years. This means her next scheduled date to even ask for parole isn't until 2032. By then, she’ll be 84 years old.
Why does she keep getting denied?
It basically comes down to remorse. Or, rather, the perceived lack of it. In her 2010 and 2017 hearings, the parole board expressed concern that Betty still views herself as the primary victim. She’s often described the murders as a "desperate act of self-defense" against what she calls Dan's "emotional terrorism."
The board doesn't see it that way. To them, she remains a risk to public safety because she hasn't fully taken accountability for the premeditated nature of the crime—sneaking into the house with a key she stole from her daughter and shooting the couple while they slept.
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The Family Divide: Where the Broderick Children Stand
One of the most heartbreaking parts of this story is how it split the four Broderick children right down the middle. Even in 2024, the family is polarized. It’s a literal "Team Mom" vs. "Team Dad" situation that has persisted for over thirty years.
- Kathy Lee Broderick: She has historically supported her mother’s release. During past hearings, she’s testified that her mother should be allowed to live out her final years outside of prison walls.
- Daniel Broderick Jr.: He’s taken a much harder line. He’s gone on record saying that his mother is still "stuck in the past" and that releasing her would be a mistake.
- Rhett Broderick: Rhett has appeared on shows like Oprah, explaining that while he loves his mother, he understands why the system keeps her locked up.
- Kim Broderick: Kim wrote a book called Betty Broderick, My Mom, which paints a vivid, often painful picture of the volatile home life leading up to the murders. She has generally opposed Betty’s release.
It’s rare to see a family remain this publicly divided for this long. It’s a testament to how deep the scars from that 1989 morning really go.
Addressing the "Is Betty Broderick Still Alive 2024" Rumors
The internet is a weird place. Every few months, a "death hoax" or a rumor about a secret compassionate release starts circulating on TikTok or Reddit. Don't buy into it. Unless there is an official statement from the CDCR, Betty is still in Chino.
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Some people think she might get out early due to "elderly parole" laws in California. These laws are designed to move older, non-violent inmates out of the system to save on medical costs. But there's a catch: it’s much harder for people convicted of high-profile murders. The political pressure to keep her behind bars is immense. Every time her name comes up for a hearing, the San Diego District Attorney’s office receives a flood of letters from people who still remember the terror the case caused in the local community.
Looking Ahead to 2032
So, what’s next? Honestly, not much. Betty spends her days doing what most long-term inmates do—participating in prison programs, perhaps writing more of those letters that occasionally leak to the press, and waiting.
If you're following this case, the next big milestone isn't for another eight years. Unless her health takes a drastic turn, Betty Broderick will likely remain exactly where she is. She’s a living reminder of a specific era of American "true crime"—one defined by bitter divorces, gaslighting, and a legal system that wasn't quite sure how to handle a woman who snapped.
Actionable Insights for True Crime Fans
If you're interested in the nuances of the Broderick case beyond the "is she alive" question, here are a few things you can do to get the full picture:
- Read the Court Transcripts: They offer a much colder, more factual look at the evidence than the TV shows do.
- Check the CDCR Inmate Locator: If you ever want to verify her status yourself, the California Inmate Locator is the only official source. You just need her name or CDC number (W42477).
- Watch the 1992 Documentary: Till Murder Do Us Part features actual footage and interviews from the era that provide context the modern re-tellings often miss.
- Follow the Parole Board Calendar: While her "big" hearing isn't until 2032, administrative reviews happen periodically.
The saga of Betty Broderick is a tragedy with no winners. It’s a story about what happens when rage is allowed to simmer for years until it boils over into something irredeemable. For now, the answer remains the same: she is alive, she is in prison, and the world is still watching.