Who is Bernie Tiede? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Age: 66 Years, 66 Year Old Males

Family:

father: Bernhardt Tiede

mother: Lela Mae Jester

Murderers American Men

More Facts

education: Cooper High School

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1

What crime was Bernie Tiede convicted of?

Bernie Tiede was convicted of the murder of Marjorie Nugent, a wealthy widow he had befriended.
2

How did Bernie Tiede meet Marjorie Nugent?

Bernie Tiede met Marjorie Nugent at a funeral, where he worked as a mortician. They struck up a friendship that ultimately led to Marjorie's murder.
3

Where did the events portrayed in the film "Bernie" took place?

The events portrayed in the film "Bernie" took place in the small town of Carthage, Texas.
4

Was Bernie Tiede's case the basis for a popular movie?

Yes, Bernie Tiede's case was the basis for the 2011 film "Bernie," directed by Richard Linklater and starring Jack Black in the title role.
5

What was the outcome of Bernie Tiede's trial?

Bernie Tiede was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

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Childhood & Early Life

Bernhardt Tiede II was born on August 2, 1958 in Abilene, Texas, United States. His father was Bernhardt Tiede who was a native of Olgenow, Russia. He migrated to USA along with his family in 1926. Tiede’s mother was Lela Mae Jester who was Tiede Sr.’s first wife.

Tiede Sr. was a professor of music and choral director at Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio, Texas, and also at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Along with that, he has also taught at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas, and then at McMurry College in Abilene where he was a director of the McMurry Chanters.

In addition to teaching, Tiede’s father was also a church music director and a vocal performer. He married again when Tiede’s mother died in an automobile accident when Tiede was just a child.

In 1963, Tiede Sr. married his second wife Clara Kathryn and Tiede got a stepmother. However, his father died when Tiede was fifteen years old.

He went to Cooper High School in Abilene, Texas and graduated in 1976.

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American Murderers

Later Life

Before Bernie Tiede met Majorie Nugent, he used to work as a mortician. He was often described by people as ‘the most good-hearted man in the town’.

In March 1990, Tiede met Nugent at her husband’s funeral. At that time, he was helping the assistant director at Hawthorn Funeral Home. The two connected with each other instantly.

In just one year, he gained her trust and made her alter her will. Nugent disinherited her son and left the entire $5 million estate to Tiede. In 1993, Tiede left his job as a mortician and was no longer her personal assistant. In fact, he had become her business manager and travel companion.

Tiede murdered Nugent on November 19, 1996. He shot her in the back four times with a .22 rifle. After the murder, he placed her body in a freezer at her Carthage home. After killing her, he went on to live a normal life and lied to people about her whereabouts.

When her estranged son, Rod Nugent came back to Panola County nine months later it was discovered that she was missing. When Rod and his daughter entered the house, they found Nugent’s body wrapped in a white sheet and stored in the freezer.

When Tiede was taken in for questioning, he confessed to his crimes. Furthermore, he revealed that after killing Nugent, he cleaned the body and placed it in the freezer. Also, he used most of her money to give out gifts to his friends in Carthage.

He was sentenced to 50 years in prison by jury, but he appealed against his sentence. The courts ruled that there was sufficient evidence against Tiede to frame him for the murder.

Bernie Tiede went ahead and filed a post-conviction writ of habeas corpus in which he alleged that Nugent used to abuse him. Also, she provoked him and it brought back memories of sexual abuse from his uncle. After hearing his side, the Texas Criminal Courts of Appeal approved his appeal.

People’s opinion on Tiede was divided as some people remembered him for his kind nature, while others wanted to see him behind the bars. Nugent’s son, Rod blamed Tiede for his estrangement with his mother.

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He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Rod filed a lawsuit against Tiede for duping more than $3 million from Nugent.

Imprisonment & Release

Bernie Tiede entered the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 1999 and got attacked by his fellow inmates. But the prison officials often described him as ‘a model prisoner’ who would take health classes and participate willingly in prison’s choir.

Till May 2014, Tiede was serving life imprisonment. But, District Attorney Danny Buck Davidson and visiting Judge Diane Devasto allowed him to be released from his life sentence on $10,000 bail. It was discovered that Tiede was sexually abused number of times when he was a kid.

His attorney Jodi Cole alleged that Tiede shot Nugent due to a violent episode with her which brought back the past memories. This theory was backed by forensic psychiatrist Dr. Richard Pesikoff.

It was also revealed that the reason Tiede penned down a handwritten confession was because he had received several threats that his private videos would be leaked. After the new evidence was presented, Davidson agreed that he would have sought a lighter sentence for Tiede.

Nugent’s family was shocked by the release of Tiede and blamed Richard Linklater’s film ‘Bernie’ to influence the trial.

After his release in 2014 till his resentencing in 2016, Tiede lived in filmmaker Richard Linklater’s garage apartment. The resentencing trial began on April 6, 2016.

Nugent’s sister, Merrell Rhodes, brought new evidence stating that she was always afraid of her sister. Merrel’s son, Joe Rhodes also confirmed that movie’s portrayal of Nugent was accurate and his aunt was abusive by nature.

In spite of all this, on April 22, 2016, a jury of 10 women and two men issued a new sentence of 99 years or life to Tiede. The theft charges against him were dropped. In August 2017, Texas appeal court upheld the 99-year prison sentence.

Facts About Bernie Tiede

Despite his criminal past, Bernie Tiede was known for his exceptional skill as a mortician and was highly respected in his community for his work in providing dignified funeral services.

Bernie Tiede was known for his generosity and compassion towards others, often going out of his way to help those in need in his small Texas town.

Before his legal troubles, Bernie Tiede was active in local theater productions and was known for his talent in performing arts.

Bernie Tiede had a unique sense of style and was often seen sporting colorful and eccentric outfits that reflected his outgoing personality.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his case, Bernie Tiede maintained a positive attitude and continued to find joy in life through his passion for music and community involvement.

Bernie Tiede Biography

You wanted to know

What crime was Bernie Tiede convicted of?

How did Bernie Tiede meet Marjorie Nugent?

Where did the events portrayed in the film "Bernie" took place?

Was Bernie Tiede's case the basis for a popular movie?

What was the outcome of Bernie Tiede's trial?