Steven Franklin Beard II, a 75-year-old male of Caucasian ethnicity from Austin, Texas, was tragically murdered on October 2, 1999. Beard was shot in the stomach while he was asleep at his home in Westlake Hills, Texas. The shooting was orchestrated by his second wife, Celeste Beard , and carried out by her lover, Tracey Tarlton.
Celeste Beard, who was significantly younger than Steven, had married him in 1995.
She met Tracey Tarlton at a mental health facility, and the two began an intimate relationship. Celeste allegedly convinced Tracey to kill Steven, claiming that he was abusive. Tracey Tarlton confessed to the shooting and was arrested six days after the incident. She later pleaded guilty to her involvement in Steven's death in exchange for testifying against Celeste.
Celeste Beard was charged with her involvement in Steven's death on March 28, 2002, and was convicted on March 19, 2003. She received a sentence of 40 years to life in prison and will not be eligible for parole until January 4, 2042. Tracey Tarlton was released in August 2011 after serving her sentence.
The case garnered significant media attention due to the dramatic nature of the crime and the involvement of Celeste and Tracey. Steven Franklin Beard II's death remains a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of manipulation and deceit in relationships.
