48 Hours: "For Marriage Or Money?"

Date: October 1, 2025
Host: CBS News
Theme: The murder of Texas millionaire Steven Beard, examining whether his wife, Celeste Beard, masterminded his death for financial gain or if she was caught in the crosshairs of obsession and manipulation.

EPISODE OVERVIEW

"For Marriage Or Money?" delves into the shocking case of Steven Beard—a wealthy Austin businessman shot in his home in 1999—and the subsequent investigation that unraveled a complex web of relationships, secrets, and motives. The episode explores Celeste Beard’s rise from waitress to millionaire's wife, the toxic friendship and alleged affair with Tracy Tarlton, and the dramatic courtroom battle over whether Celeste killed for love, money—or both.

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS AND INSIGHTS

1. The "Texas Fairytale"—Celeste and Steven’s Relationship

• Background:
  • Celeste grew up with adversity: depression, poverty, troubled family life ([04:23], [20:26]).
  • Steven Beard, a wealthy widower, met Celeste at a country club. He offered financial security; she offered companionship ([03:01–04:23]).
• Extravagant Lifestyle:
  • Lavish spending, compulsive shopping—"Probably $50,000 in a day" ([01:14], [19:18]).
  • Steven adopted Celeste’s twin daughters, seeking a "complete" family ([07:45–08:13]).

2. The Shooting—Unraveling the Fairytale

• Crime Scene:
  • Steven shot in bed in October 1999. Initial theories: burglary vs. staged murder ([04:52–06:27]).
  • "His guts were hanging out"—astonishing 911 call ([05:03]).
  • Celeste’s apparent distress: “Don't let him die. Please don't let him die.” ([01:30]; [06:17])
• Investigation:
  • Tracy Tarlton, Celeste’s best friend, arrested soon after when her shotgun matches the crime scene ([09:31–10:12]).

3. Celeste + Tracy: Friends, Lovers, or Manipulator & Victim?

• Conflicting Narratives:

  • Tracy claims a romantic/sexual affair; Celeste denies it ([13:18], [17:11], [21:39]).
  • Tracy describes Celeste as manipulative, “She had a plan, and she wanted me to shoot him...I was thinking about Celeste’s instructions.” ([30:04–30:29])
  • Celeste’s lawyer, Dick DeGuerin: Tracy is obsessed and delusional; sexual relationship was Tracy’s fantasy ([17:08], [26:08]).

• Tracy’s Motive & Mental State:

  • Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, psychosis, substance abuse ([19:44], [20:04]).
  • Testimony from a cellmate suggests Tracy wanted revenge on Celeste for ending their relationship ([31:00]).

4. Money as Motive—Divorce vs. Murder

• Financial Stakes:

  • If Steven died, Celeste would inherit millions; through divorce, much less ([27:11–27:24], [34:42]).
  • Prosecutor: “Celeste Beard loved money more than she loved anything else. Because of that, she had Steven Beard killed.” ([25:15])

• Celeste’s Defense:

  • “We weren’t getting a divorce. I mean, I had everything. Steven never would have divorced me.” ([27:19])

5. Key Testimonies—Twin Daughters vs. Their Mother

• Twins Testify:

  • Alleged Celeste repeatedly expressed disgust for Steven and wished him dead ([32:36], [33:33]).
  • Claimed Celeste drugged Steven: “I saw her break apart the sleeping pill and put it in his baked potato.” ([34:00])

• Celeste’s Response:

  • Accuses her own daughters of lying for inheritance money ([34:42]).

• Audio Evidence:

  • Recording played in court demonstrates Celeste’s verbal abuse ([35:19–35:53]).

6. Manipulation, Mental Illness & Truth-Telling

• Competing Claims:
  • Was Celeste a master manipulator, playing Tracy for her own ends? Or was Tracy an unstable, obsessed woman acting alone?
  • Dick DeGuerin: “The only evidence they have is Tracy Tarleton. And Tracy Tarleton can’t be believed. She can’t be believed because she’s a crazy woman.” ([38:21])

7. The Verdict and Aftermath

• Jury Decision:

  • Celeste found guilty of capital murder ([39:03]).
  • Sentenced to life in prison ([39:34]).

• Personal Fallout:

  • Estranged from her daughters: “I’ve lost my children.” ([40:41])

• Final Words:

  • Christina (daughter): “You say we turned on you, but you turned on us...You are guilty.” ([40:03])
  • Celeste: “I feel responsible in that I brought Tracy into our lives. But am I responsible for Tracy going in the house and shooting Steven? No, I’m not responsible for that.” ([40:51])

MEMORABLE QUOTES & HIGHLIGHTED MOMENTS

• “I wanted somebody to take care of me, and he wanted someone to take care of.” — Celeste Beard [00:37]
• “Probably $50,000 in a day.” — Celeste Beard, about shopping ([01:14], [19:18])
• “My guts just came out of my stomach. They blew out. Yeah, they blew out of my stomach.” — Steven Beard, 911 call [05:03]
• “She had a plan, and she wanted me to shoot him… I was thinking about Celeste’s instructions.” — Tracy Tarlton [30:04–30:29]
• “Celeste is not a gold digger. She did spend a lot of money and Steve showered money. She made him happy, he made her happy.” — Dick DeGuerin [19:24]
• “I hated to admit it, but the only reason why they could have turned on me was for the money.” — Celeste Beard, about her daughters [34:35]
• “This soap opera that we went through for four weeks does not prove Celeste is a killer.” — Dick DeGuerin [37:57]
• “We, the jury, find the defendant Celeste Beard Johnson guilty of the offense of capital murder.” — Judge [39:03]
• “What did I or Jen ever do to you except love you? And this is how you treated us? Like trash… You are guilty.” — Christina Beard [40:03]
• “I feel responsible… But am I responsible for Tracy going in the house and shooting Steven? No, I’m not responsible for that.” — Celeste Beard [40:51]

TIMESTAMPS FOR KEY SEGMENTS

• [03:01–04:23] – Celeste and Steven’s courtship
• [04:52–06:27] – The shooting and the chaotic aftermath
• [09:31–10:12] – Tracy Tarlton arrested
• [12:11–13:05] – Tracy describes plan and shooting
• [19:00–19:24] – Celeste’s luxury shopping habits
• [27:11–27:35] – Financial motive for murder
• [32:23–34:00] – Celeste’s twin daughters testify
• [35:19–35:53] – Abusive phone call played in court
• [39:03–39:15] – Jury delivers guilty verdict
• [40:03–40:35] – Christina’s emotional statement to Celeste

CONCLUSION

"For Marriage Or Money?" masterfully untangles the knotty questions surrounding Steven Beard’s murder. The episode explores whether Celeste Beard was a calculating gold-digger or a woman ensnared by a disturbed friend’s obsession, driven by greed, love, or self-preservation. Through interviews, court testimony, and firsthand accounts, the podcast lays bare the intricacies of a real-life Texas tragedy—ultimately leaving listeners face to face with the horrors that can hide behind the perfect façade of wealth and marriage.