Photo Courtesy of Texas Dept. Criminal Justice
A Texas Tale of Greed and Betrayal
Celeste Beard Johnson seemed to hit the jackpot when she married Steven Beard. He was a wealthy retired TV executive living in Austin, Texas. She was a cocktail waitress at a country club. Their 1995 wedding changed her life overnight.
Celeste moved into Steven’s lavish home with her twin daughters from a previous marriage. From the outside, it looked like a fairy tale. But behind closed doors, the relationship quickly turned dark.
A Twisted Friendship Begins
Celeste suffered from depression. In 1999, she checked into a mental health facility, where she met Tracey Tarlton. The two became fast friends—and more. Tracey fell hard for Celeste, and the line between friendship and obsession blurred quickly.
Once they were both discharged, their relationship continued. Tracey believed they were in love. Celeste played into that, knowing she had a plan—and Tracey was part of it.
A Shocking Attack
On October 2, 1999, Steven Beard was shot in the stomach while asleep in his bed. He managed to call 911 and survive—for a time. Police found no signs of forced entry. The shell casing linked back to a shotgun owned by Tracey.
Tracey was arrested. At first, she kept quiet. But after learning that Celeste had distanced herself and started dating a new man, Tracey talked. She told police that Celeste had manipulated her into pulling the trigger.
The Motive: Money
Celeste stood to gain millions from Steven’s death. He had already added her to his will and had changed his estate plan in her favor. Prosecutors argued that Celeste wanted full control of his fortune—and the freedom to live life on her terms.
Celeste’s spending had already raised concerns. She had been buying luxury items, gambling, and reportedly discussing ways to make Steven disappear.
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Family Turns Against Her
Perhaps the most damning testimony came from Celeste’s own daughters. They told the court their mother had talked about killing Steven and had even asked if they could help.
Even worse, they said Celeste later asked them to find someone to kill Tracey—to silence her.
Justice Served
In 2003, Celeste Beard Johnson was found guilty of capital murder. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years. Her earliest chance at freedom comes in 2042.
Tracey Tarlton received a reduced sentence for her cooperation and was paroled in 2011.
A Legacy of Lies
Celeste continues to claim she’s innocent. But the evidence, testimony, and motives all point to a chilling truth. Her story has been featured in documentaries and true crime shows for years—and still fascinates people today.
This case is more than just a murder. It’s a lesson in manipulation, obsession, and how greed can turn deadly.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.
