UNMARKED: A True Crime Podcast
Episode 11: Celeste Beard Johnson – She Asked Me to Revisit Her Case
Release Date: February 25, 2026
Host: James Buddy Day
Guest: Susie Spencer

Overview

In this gripping episode of UNMARKED, James Buddy Day delves into the notorious case of Celeste Beard Johnson, convicted of orchestrating the murder of her wealthy husband, Steven Beard, in 1999. Featuring deep analysis, rare documents, and a revealing interview with investigative journalist/author Susie Spencer (who wrote The Fortune Teller about the case), the episode unpacks not only the facts but also the psychology, manipulation tactics, and personal history behind Celeste. The discussion challenges self-serving narratives from Celeste and explores the impact of her actions on everyone around her.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Background and Susie Spencer’s Involvement

• Personal Connections:
  Spencer discusses her Texas roots and unexpected personal intersections with the Beard case, such as knowing Celeste’s relatives and attending the same summer camp as other key figures.

  “I grew up going to the same summer camp. Oh, really? And so I knew some of her relatives.” (01:54 – Susie Spencer)

• Author’s Motivation:
  Her interest stemmed from both the salaciousness of the crime and its ties to mental health issues.

  “I had been following the case for years because I’m always interested in cases that involve mental health issues.” (01:38 – Susie Spencer)

2. Celeste’s Campaign for Exoneration

• Flood of Documents:
  Celeste’s team sent Day a massive trove of files, aiming to prove her innocence. Day finds these materials only further solidify her guilt.

  “All of it is meant to do one thing. Exonerate her. And I want you to know that I’ve reviewed everything they’ve sent, and it doesn’t. Celeste Beard Johnson is as guilty as they come.” (05:39 – James Buddy Day)

• The Psychopath Profile:
  Day characterizes Celeste as a “primary psychopath”—highly manipulative, emotionally uninhibited, and unable to register normal boundaries.

  “A primary psychopath doesn’t collapse under pressure. They reconfigure over and over again.” (40:02 – James Buddy Day)

3. Celeste’s Early Life and Pattern of Serial Monogamy

• Troubled Upbringing:
  Adopted, Celeste reportedly suffered abuse at home and married young to escape. Susie Spencer affirms abuse claims, noting family corroboration.

  “Now, when she says she was sexually abused, do I believe that one? Yes, I do, because there are other family members that said she was abused…” (09:15 – Susie Spencer)

• Marriage as Escape:
  Each marriage serves as a step up—an escape from hard circumstances, setting a lifelong pattern.

  “It’s the first time she uses the social institution of marriage to escape her circumstances… It’s a lesson that will come to define her entire life.” (09:03 – James Buddy Day)

4. The Steven Beard Marriage: Motive and Manipulation

• Seeking Security:
  Celeste marries Beard, a 70-year-old millionaire, soon after his first wife’s death, using the custody of her twin daughters as leverage.

  “Steve’s wife died, and two weeks later, he asked Celeste out on a date… she was moving in with him and saying she was going to divorce Jimmy because her daughters, she’d lost custody to them.” (14:04 – Susie Spencer)

• Warnings Ignored:
  Celeste’s first husband warns Beard:

  “Get out of there. She’s deadly.” (16:07 – Susie Spencer)

• Lavish Spending, Emotional Turmoil:
  Celeste spends extravagantly and repeatedly fabricates crises to manipulate Beard.

  “She resumes sleeping with her ex-husband, Jimmy Martinez… Celeste at one point told him she had cancer, which, in fact, it’s something she told many people and she never did…” (17:35 – Susie Spencer)

5. Descent Into Crime: Failed Murder Attempts

• Repeated Attempts:
  Over months, Celeste tries to poison Steven, dilute alcohol, and even suffocate him with a plastic bag—with Beard surviving each attempt.

  “Celeste decides to obtain a more potent poison. She asks Tracy to order her a copy of the Poisoner’s Handbook…” (27:45 – James Buddy Day) “They were going to mix it into the hamburger meat for the chili… But it didn’t work.” (28:38 – Susie Spencer)

• Manipulating Tracy Tarleton:
  Celeste grooms and isolates fellow psychiatric patient Tracy Tarleton, manipulating her into an intimate relationship and then orchestrating Beard’s murder through her.

6. The Relationship With Tracy Tarleton

• Forming a Deadly Bond:
  Spencer knew Tracy from summer camp, adding another direct thread. They describe the bond as rooted in shared trauma but quickly co-opted by Celeste’s manipulation.

  “Celeste is brilliant also, and Celeste has difficulty with the truth. And I think when she saw Tracy, it was like, this is someone I can make fall in love with me and do my bidding.” (22:35 – Susie Spencer)

• The Nature of Their Relationship:
  Despite Celeste’s denial, evidence and witnesses unanimously indicate a romantic and sexual relationship.

  “In one court document, her defense is summarized as follows… the defense, on the other hand, portrayed Tarleton as delusional and Celeste as the object of Tarleton’s obsessive behavior.” (24:13 – James Buddy Day) “Tracey and Celeste threw a party for Tracy’s employees… Celeste sitting in Tracy’s lap and nuzzling her ear.” (25:39 – Susie Spencer)

7. Murder of Steven Beard

• Planning the Act:
  Celeste orchestrates Beard’s murder down to the smallest detail.

  “Celeste had Tracy come over that day and walk through the house to show her where she wanted to enter.” (32:38 – Susie Spencer) “She told Tracy to wear her black tennis shoes, black clothes, a black hat.” (33:03 – Susie Spencer)

• The Killing:
  Tracy shoots Beard in the stomach while he sleeps. Despite critical injuries, Beard manages to call 911.

  “Help. My guts have jumped out of my stomach.” (34:21 – Susie Spencer, quoting 911 tape)

• Cover-up and Collapse:
  The police swiftly identify the connection between Celeste and Tracy through phone records and witness testimony, eventually linking the gun found in Tracy’s home to the shooting.

8. Aftermath and Justice

• Celeste Moves On:
  Celeste quickly remarries after Beard’s death, demonstrating her pattern of using and discarding relationships.

  “Steve died in January of 2000… Celeste at a bar, met a guy named Cole Johnson… and decided to get married.” (37:02 – Susie Spencer)

• Tracy’s Turning Point:
  Realizing Celeste used her, and seeing her move on so quickly, Tracy turns state’s witness, sealing Celeste’s fate.

  “Tracy was reading the newspaper… Celeste wasn’t at a hearing… because she was on her honeymoon… And that’s when Tracy went, I get it. I was used.” (37:48 – Susie Spencer)

• Trial and Sentencing:
  Celeste’s defense claims Tracy was obsessed and delusional. The jury finds otherwise, convicting Celeste of capital murder.

  “Her defense was Tracy and I were just friends. Yes, she had a crush on me… She’s just a crazy, obsessed woman… who killed my husband that I love dearly.” (38:59 – Susie Spencer)

• Psychopath's Adaptation:
  Day closes by reinforcing his assessment of Celeste as a primary psychopath, expert in creating narratives to suit changing needs.

  “Whatever she says is real in the moment. Whoever she’s facing matters most. Until they don’t.” (41:40 – James Buddy Day)

Memorable Quotes

• On Celeste’s Manipulative Charm:

  “I was almost charmed. She was hysterically funny and smart and just fun to be around… I didn’t want to leave.” (07:17 – Susie Spencer)

• On Substance and Motive:

  “Celeste beard Johnson is as guilty as they come.” (05:39 – James Buddy Day)

• On the Nature of Psychopathy:

  “They do whatever it takes to get what they want, no matter the cost.” (08:27 – James Buddy Day)

• On Tracy’s Betrayal:

  “I was used. She never loved me.” (37:48 – Susie Spencer)

• On Celeste’s Perpetual Manipulation:

  “Whatever she says is real in the moment. Whoever she’s facing matters most. Until they don’t.” (41:40 – James Buddy Day)

Key Timestamps

• 01:38 – Susie Spencer outlines her personal connection to the case
• 04:12 – Celeste’s letter to Day and assessment of her “unfair” publicity
• 07:17 – Spencer describes Celeste’s remarkable charm, despite her crimes
• 09:15 – Claims of Celeste’s childhood abuse and family corroboration
• 12:17 – In-court debate about Celeste’s salacious nickname for her third husband
• 14:04 – Beard and Celeste begin their relationship
• 17:35 – Fabrications, spending, and escalation in the Beard marriage
• 19:32 – Introduction of Tracy Tarleton and the meeting at the psychiatric facility
• 22:35 – Establishing intimacy and manipulation between Celeste and Tracy
• 24:13 – The dispute over the nature of the Celeste-Tracy relationship
• 27:45 – First murder attempt using drugs and poison
• 34:21 – Beard’s desperate 911 call after being shot
• 37:02 – Celeste’s rapid remarriage after Beard’s death
• 37:48 – Tracy’s realization of betrayal
• 39:21 – Celeste’s “obsessive lover” defense at trial
• 40:02 – Day summarizes Celeste’s psychopathic adaptability

Conclusion

This episode demonstrates how Celeste Beard Johnson masterminded and manipulated those around her to fulfill her own needs, with chilling effectiveness. By weaving together firsthand accounts, court records, and expert commentary, Day and Spencer reveal not just the facts of the case, but the human vulnerabilities Celeste exploited. The episode closes with a call for nuanced thinking about complex criminal cases and a warning: Celeste continues to reinvent herself, just as she always has.