Eventually, Steven was made aware of Celeste trying to steal precious jewelry that belonged to his late wife, causing the millionaire to file for divorce. One of the victims sadly didnt survive, and Jennifer reportedly needed ten surgeries to recover from the wounds directly to the stomach, leaving her struggling with stamina. He would love for you to call him dad. And they refused.. [4] At age 17, Johnson became pregnant and gave birth to twins, Jennifer and Kristina, with her abusive first husband, Craig Bratcher. Celeste says her daughters are lying about everything, even their claims that they loved Steven. Sadly, this would not be the last time violence would find the Beard twins. Tarlton has kept to herself and has not participated in any of the shows about her story. tried to make it easy for her. I did love Tracey, as a friend, says Celeste. Celeste suffered from depression and met Tracey, who was an alcoholic, while they were both being treated. So, if you want to discover more about Celestes children, Jennifer and Kristina, who have always believed in her mothers wrongdoing in the case, weve got you covered. Celeste Beard Johnson's story was a twisted one: meet a rich elderly widower, marry him, live a life of luxury, and after he tries to put a stop to your outrageous spending, kill him or rather, convince a close friend to do it for you. In November 2017, Jennifer was shot multiple times by her then-roommate Randall Gaston Jones at their Halloween party in Austin, Texas. The Austin American-Statesman reported that in October 2017, a man dressed as Santa Claus for a Halloween party he helped throw, shot and killed a partygoer. They both believed Tracey and their mother were more than just friends. Celeste Beard Johnson (born February 13, 1963), more commonly known as Celeste Beard, is an American convicted murderer who is serving a life sentence at the Lane Murray (SHU) in Gatesville, Texas, for the 1999 murder of her millionaire husband, Steven Beard. Celeste suffered from depression and met Tracey, who was an alcoholic, while they were both being treated. Celestes defense team used money as a motivation for Kristina and Jennifer to lie during the trial. Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Keto Diet Questions And Answers, Big Brother Season 23 Episode 13 Release Date & Spoiler. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. A family photo showing Steven Beard, Celeste Beard and her daughters Kristina and Jennifer. Steven was a widower and was recovering from the death of his wife of 45 years. Celeste Beard's story was told in a recent episode of the popular ABC show, which features an interview with Beard and her twin daughters, who testified against their mother when she was on trial for murdering their stepfather. She loved Celeste but Celeste didnt love her, says Lofton, who says Tracey was out to punish Celeste for refusing her sexual advances. She was sentenced to life in prison. It seemed like the perfect life, but drama ensued after Beard, whose net worth was estimated to be around $10 million, tried to put an end to Johnson's frivolous spending habits. The police began to hear that Johnson had spoken negatively about Beard. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Celeste Beard Johnson was convicted of murder, Steven Beard was murdered in October 1999, Shocking photo shows bedsheet where girl died weighing 23st - as mum JOKED about flies in squalid room, Man, 43, died after being held down by security guards at Sainsbury's, Man rushed to hospital with stab wounds after 'incident' at Hackney Central railway station as cops rush to scene, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). display: none; Menu. Leon Baucham Murder: Where Is Killer Jacqueline Ray Now? First, some backstory: Celeste was a waitress at a Texas country club when she met her future husband, Steve Beard Jr., a retired TV executive. Thats speaking now that Im removed from the project and shes out of my system.. Celeste Beard Johnson (born February 13, 1963), more commonly known as Celeste Beard, is an American convicted murderer who is serving a life sentence at the Lane Murray (SHU) . Four years after they were married, Steve would be shot in their home by someone wielding a 20-gauge shotgun. Celeste's defense team used money as a motivation for Kristina and Jennifer to lie during the trial. The prosecution focused heavily on the alleged relationship between Celeste and Tracey. CELESTE Beard Johnson has spoken out several times since she was convicted of killing her husband and continues to maintain her innocence. Born on February 13, 1963, Celeste Beard had a difficult childhood. In arecent episode ofWho Do You Believe?, Jennifer and Kristina Beard finally light on the events of nearly 25 years ago as they saw them. However, the couple soon reunited, and Steven did not go through with the divorce proceedings. So I just started taping our conversations when they would get out of hand.. In a shocking decision, they decided to testify against their mother. However, he promised to adopt her then 15-year-old daughters, which he did right before their 18th birthday. By 1999, the depression got so bad that Celeste claimed she was suicidal. While he was genuinely looking for companionship, she was only after his money, according to Jennifer and Kristina, whom hed legally adopted a month before they turned 18. Born in 1963, Johnson, 59, is known as a convicted murderer. When Tarlton was arrested for drunk driving and Johnson bailed her out, Beard, angered by the relentless phone calls, demanded that Tarlton stop contacting the couple. On November 18, ABC's 20/20 will premiere her episode titled . I mean, I have to face that fact, adds Celeste. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Lifetimes Secrets of a Gold Digger sheds light on this case. I was thinking about Celeste., But Celeste denies ever giving Tracey instructions to kill her husband: I dont know why Tracey shot my husband.. At Johnson's trial, prosecutors charged that she had married Beard for his money and wanted him dead because he was tired of her extravagant spending and was considering divorce. Tracey herself testified at Celestes trial and alleged that she had an affair with her. Beard is behind bars for the murder of her millionaire husband. News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. On October 2, 1999, an intruder broke into Beards home in the early hours of the morning and fatally shot him, ABC News reports. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. I truly got attached to him, she once remarked about her stepfather, adding that he treated the twins like family in addition to giving them with much-needed stability. Secrets of a Gold Digger Killeris a TV movie starringDexteralum Julie Benz as Celeste. Pour en savoir plus sur notre utilisation de vos informations, veuillez consulter notre Politique relative la vie prive et notre Politique en matire de cookies. They thought he was old. "Celeste had been changing his wounds with dirty hands," she said. I would tell them that I always loved them, she said. It wasnt until a few months later that the shooter, Tracey Tarlton, disclosed to police the real reason behind the heinous crime. The jury awarded Celeste Beard a life imprisonment sentence in 2003. Their attorney, David Kuperman, refused to allow police to interview Beard while he was hospitalized, due to his grave condition. While on the stand, Tarlton claimed Celeste was always flirting with her and revealed "Celeste had told her Beard was the only thing standing in the way of the womens future together." I really tried not to pass any judgment on her. As of the time of this writing, Jennifer Beard has not seen her mother since the trial. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. But if Celeste goes free, Steven Beards will calls for the girls to get significantly less. However, her daughters still seem to be against her as they also appeared on the same episode and spoke about how their mother would use manipulation techniques to make them do her bidding. "[3] She claimed that her adoptive parent, Edwin Johnson, physically abused her as a child and that she attempted suicide during puberty. Oxygengave an update on Celeste in November 2020, reporting that she remains in custody in Texas and will not be eligible for parole until 2042. Wreck Season 1 Recap and Ending, Explained, IDs The Murder Tapes Help 712 Ive Been Shot Christopher Hoefling Murder, Lauren Harpe From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Carolyn Wiger From Survivor 44: Everything We Know, Carson Garrett From Survivor 44: Everything We Know. Although Tracey would eventually confess to shooting Steve, she quickly informed authorities that Celeste had asked her to do it. Celeste says that if shes convicted, the twins would get a share of her inheritance -- an estimated $2 million each. In these recordings, which were introduced as evidence in Celeste Beards trial, she can be heard yelling at her daughters, crying hysterically, and using profanity. The defense also tried to argue the twins were testifying against their mother for money, but they denied that. Tarlton has kept to herself and has not participated in any of the shows about her story. So many seconds, minutes, hours, days, years go by that I wonder if I will. Their marriage is depicted in "Secrets of a Gold Digger," starring Julie Benz, which airs on Lifetime on Sunday at 8 p.m. The twins would also testify that their mother would tell them she married Steven for his money, that he disgusted her, and then when he died she would get all of his money. At the time, Johnson was 32 while Beard was 69, causing many to speculate that she was only with him for the money, though several have said over the years that Beard didn't care about the gossip, PEOPLE reported in 2003. Celeste was 32 years old when she married Steve Beard. [5], On October 3, 1999, Beard was shot in the stomach while he was asleep at their home in Westlake Hills, Texas. -In the 1991 film "Boyz N the Hood," actor Lloyd Avery made his acting debut as a member of What Happened to the Daughters of Celeste Beard? Reportedly, Celeste was also trying to poison and kill her fifth husband. He later died in January 2000 of a blood clot. I do not agree, for a minute, that theyre motivated by money. Celeste Beard Johnson (born February 13, 1963), more commonly known as Celeste Beard, is an American convicted murderer who is serving a life sentence at the Lane Murray (SHU) in Gatesville, Texas, for the 1999 murder of her millionaire husband, Steven Beard. DeGuerin had Traceys secret diary. She is serving her sentence at Lane Murray in Gatesville, Texas, and will be eligible for parole in April 2042, at the age of 80, according to Oxygen. I mean, I have to admit that, because my kids wouldnt be like they are today, if I wasnt a bad mother. They thought he was old. However, things begin to go wrong, when all Steven's generosity is not enough to curb Celeste's greed. I used to beg them, Call him dad. Her twin sister, Kristina Beard (now Fritz), testified that Jennifer "needed 10 surgeries to recover from two wounds to the stomach.". Although the police were quick to arrest the shooter, they found no motive for the crime. I was willing to shoot him, and I went and did it., Tracey then said that she walked into Steves room, stood at the foot of his bed, raised her gun and took aim where I was supposed to take aim and pulled the trigger. "If I couldn't help her out, she'd be homeless," Kristina said. Johnson is also the mother of twin daughters, Kristina and Jennifer. Spiky TV's senior news writer is Stephan Gibbs. I wanted a mom, Kristina told ABC News. Even though the two had an age difference of more than 35 years, they soon took to each other and seemingly fell in love. Jennifer said that Celeste would sneak out at night and head to Traceys house after drugging Steve with sleeping pills. The three of them were explicitly named in Stevens will, alongside his children from his first marriage, so Celestes conviction guaranteed the girls a share of their mothers inheritance an estimated $2 million. So now, if you wish to learn more about the two women who have always believed in Celestes wrongful hand in the matter her daughters Jennifer and Kristina weve got the details for you. Several witnesses saw no unusual problems in Johnson and Beard's marriage, and DeGuerin alleged that Johnson's daughters lied on the witness stand because they would inherit no money if their mother was acquitted. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. [7] The Beard attorney, David Kuperman, testified that Steven did not want a divorce and the underlying issues of the spending were addressed during joint therapy (both Beards in attendance) sessions treating Johnson's depression. I just wish somebody could come forward and help me." "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. They both believed Tracey and their mother were more than just friends. She will be eligible for parole on April 1, 2042. Where are her daughters now? This is when Tracey decided to reveal everything to the police. In November 2017, Jennifer was shot multiple times by her then-roommate Randall Gaston Jones at their Halloween party in Austin, Texas. 6", "Snapped women who kill Celeste Beard", "Texas Tycoon's Murder Shatters Fairy-Tale Marriage", "Celeste Beard: fortune hunter has husband murdered " Compulsively Extravagant Crime Library on", "TDCJ Parole Review Information - SID Number: 05144897", "Celeste Beard: fortune hunter has husband murdered " Murder's Aftermath Crime Library on", "S.A. residents help convicted murderer bounce back into society", "London's Underworld: Trailer Video on Crime and Investigation Network", Incarcerated cuisine from former Camarillo resident, "Man awaits punishment after pleading guilty to Halloween party shooting", Witnesses during the trial of Celeste Beard, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Celeste_Beard&oldid=1142310200, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 18:13. In a recent episode of Who Do You Believe?, Jennifer and Kristina Beard finally light on the events of nearly 25 years ago as they saw them. Even with the reconciliation, Celeste started slipping into depression. Distractify is a registered trademark. In fact, Celeste once bought a card that said, To the one I love. But she didnt give it to her husband, Steven. It was kind of hard to keep up because she was always lying about something, adds daughter Kristina. Kristina was adverse during her testimony, answering to the defense, "I do not remember," 298 times. He claims Tracey would get Celeste high on alcohol or marijuana brownies, and then try to seduce her. The prosecution focused heavily on the alleged relationship between Celeste and Tracey. Tracey says she wanted to help. According to Oxygen, Celeste loved spending Steve's money at an alarming rate. But something important is missing. She even got pregnant during her first marriage and gave birth to two daughters Jennifer and Kristina before she turned 18. We don't know if Kristina has reached out to her at all. However, Celeste claimed that her daughters were lying as her going to jail would get them a bigger inheritance. You always hear blood is thicker than water. Tracey says she was in love with Celeste, and that at the time, Tracey thought Celeste was in love with her. New information is revealed by each, and both parties are shown footage from the other side. She had a plan. Jennifer and Kristina are a set of identical twins born around the early 1980s to then-17-year-old Celeste Beard Johnson and her first of many husbands, welder Craig Bratcher. The girls also said they had suspicions about Celeste and Traceys friendship. Tracey: Until you brought it up, yes. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. True crime has definitely reached a place where finding a new way to approach it is fairly difficult. Based on Tarlton's statement, Johnson was arrested on March 28, 2002. Now they're revealing more details about their mother, Celeste Beard, who's currently serving a mandatory life sentence at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville. As of January 2019, Kristina testified that Jennifer was unable to work due to her injuries. Stevens family was against the marriage and claimed that Celeste was marrying him just for his money. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Initially, the couple lived a happy and comfortable life, but soon cracks started appearing in his marriage. Right? If you want to know more about Celeste and where she is today, we have got you covered. Tracey Tarlton is psychotic. As per the girls accounts, when their parents marriage failed, their mother jumped from state to state with them and tied the knot several times along the way, which soured their bond. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Celeste Beard was convicted of murdering her millionaire husband in 2003. Brown created and produced the British horror comedy series "Wreck," which is currently available on Hulu. On October 2, 1999, millionaire Steven Beard was shot while he was asleep in his home in Texas. Jennifer and Kristina testified against their mother during her murder trial in 2002, citing all of the information above. Where are her daughters now? She and two other wounded victims survived the shooting, but another party guest died from his injuries, according to theAustin American-Statesman. tried to make it easy for her. Its a case of obsession, says DeGuerin, Celestes attorney. She was Celestes friend, and they hung out quite a bit, Jennifer said. Because of that, she had Steve Beard killed., She couldnt stand Steve Beard, says lead prosecutor Allison Weitzel, in her opening statement. According to the Daily Mail, Steven gave Celeste a $35,000 (roughly 27,000) allowance each month. Johnson's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, alleged that she had nothing to do with the shooting and that Tarlton, whom he dismissed as an unreliable witness due to documented mental instability, acted alone; Tarlton was obsessed with Johnson, who denied making sexual advances toward her. That part was true. Once the shotgun was linked to the murder through the cartridge found at the crime scene, police knew they had found their shooter and arrested Tracey. The transition out of prison and into freedom was tough but some folks in the city of San Antonio, Tex. "She bought herself cars and jewelry, sometimes spending between $15,000 and $30,000 on daily shopping sprees.". , Steven started appearing in his home in Texas police the real reason the! Each, and then try to seduce her, please use the site Map has reached out to her all. About a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site try to seduce her that at time! 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