Tracy Brown Bering: The tragic story of Jodi Arias’ former cellmate
Jodi Arias made headlines in 2008 after she was convicted of the gruesome murder of her ex-boyfriend, Travis Alexander. Her obsessive personality and the circumstances of the crime made her one of America’s most infamous killers. While in prison, Jodi met Tracy Brown Bering, and the two developed a close friendship. This article highlights fascinating details about Jodi Arias’ former cellmate.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Tracy Brown Bering and Jodi Arias’ relationship is documented in Lifetime’s true-crime docuseries Jodi Arias: Cellmate Secrets.
- In prison, Arias manipulated Tracy Brown Bering to the point that she tattooed her body six times.
- Tracy died on 4 December 2022.
Profile summary
Full name | Tracy Brown Bering |
Nickname | Tracy |
Gender | Female |
Date of birth | 6 June 1974 (Rumoured) |
Date of death | 4 December 2022 |
Age at death | 48 years old |
Zodiac sign | Gemini |
Birthplace | Arizona, United States |
Religion | Christianity |
Hair colour | Brown |
Eye colour | Brown |
Sexuality | Gay |
Marital status | Married |
Spouse | Donavan Bering |
Mother | Yolanda Ducharme |
Famous for | Being Jodi Arias’ former cellmate |
Who was Tracy Brown Bering?
Tracy Brown Bering is best remembered as Jodi Arias’ former cellmate. She was allegedly born on 6 June 1974 in Arizona, USA. She was the oldest daughter of Yolanda Ducharme and her husband.
Tracy Brown's age at death was 48 years. She took her last breath on 4 December 2022. Born in a family that experienced hardships, her pursuit of stability was a recurring topic in her early years and would continue to be so throughout her life.
Source: Original
What happened to Tracy Brown?
Tracy Brown Bering met Jodi Arias a month after being booked into Estrella Jail, a women’s prison facility in Phoenix, Arizona. She was incarcerated on charges of kidnapping in the summer of 2008. On the other hand, Jodi was behind bars for murder.
The duo shared a cell for over five months. Throughout that time, they bonded in a way Tracy Brown believed to be a true friendship.
Later, Tracy Brown discovered Arias’ true colours and learnt about the dark side of their friendship. In a 2020 documentary, Tracy narrated how Jodi convinced her to tattoo her name on her body.
I agreed to let Jodi put her name on my leg because I was convinced she was going to kill herself. I wanted something to remember this friend that I had gotten so close to in such a short time.
In addition, she disclosed how they would wrap a rubber band around a pencil to start the tattooing procedure. They would then sharpen a staple from their court papers until it would penetrate the skin.
For the ink, the pair would finely grind some lead. They would put the lead powder in a toothpaste cap and add some mascara for colour.
Jodi would then add shampoo and rub some baby powder onto Brown’s skin to outline the body art. Tracy got tattoos of a bird, a pinnacle, a moon, a Celtic symbol, and Donovan’s name.
Source: UGC
Who was Tracy Brown married to?
Tracy was married to Donovan Bering, Jodi’s cellmate, for about six months before she was released. Donovan had been jailed on suspicion of being an accessory to arson.
While in jail, Donovan Bering met Tracy, and they fell in love, eventually tying the knot in 2018. After Tracy’s wife was released from prison, she became a supporter and spokesperson for Arias, telling ABC News that she had a heart of gold.
Never have I seen her raise her voice, yell, or do anything. So when I sit in court, it blows me away because I am sitting there knowing the person I know, seeing her talking to her and seeing how much compassion she has.
However, after talking to Jodi's mother, Donavan discovered what kind of person Jodi was. She narrated how Jodi often flirted to get her way in prison.
She used her sexuality to get things from other inmates. She flirted with the guards.
Jodi had a beautiful voice, and she would also sing every night. She has often been referred to as a convicted songbird. She was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Is Donavan Bering still alive?
Yes, Donavan Bering is still alive. From her Instagram bio, she is still recovering from losing her wife, Tracy Brown Bering. Donavan supports an animal rescue programme.
Tracy Brown Bering’s depression
Brown struggled with severe depression because of her wife’s battle with cancer and also because of the hate she got from Jodi’s fans after she exposed how the convicted slayer had manipulated her.
Even though Tracy attended counselling and took medication, ghosts from her past and burdens from her current situation never let her sleep at night. She often shared her struggles with the condition, hoping her experience would help others in the same predicament.
Source: UGC
How did Tracy Brown die?
Tracy died on 4 December 2022. In a heartbreaking Facebook post, her mother, Yolanda, revealed that sadness had snatched her daughter away.
Tracy Brown Bering’s cause of death remains a mystery, sparking various theories and opinions among both her acquaintances and strangers. Some reports suggested that Tracy took her own life.
Did Tracy Brown leave behind a family?
Tracy Brown was survived by her wife, Donovan Bering. She was also survived by her mother and other relatives.
What happened to Tracy Brown, the author?
Author Tracy Brown is remembered for her novels, including Criminal Minded, Black, and the White Lines series. It is worth noting that the author only shares a name with Jodi Arias’ former cellmate, but the two are not related. The author passed away in 2023 at 49.
Trivia
- Jodi Ann Arias murdered her boyfriend, Travis Victor Alexander, on 4 June 2008.
- Jodi argued that she killed Travis in self-defense, but she was convicted of first-degree murder.
- Alexander was a salesman and motivational speaker.
- Tracy claimed that Jodi had told her that she had an accomplice in her boyfriend's murder.
- Yolanda said she could not fix her daughter, Tracy Brown, before her demise.
Jodi Arias’ prison friend, Tracy Brown Bering, described her as a manipulative sociopath. The duo’s encounter is documented in the films Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret and Bad Behind Bars: Jodi Arias. Tracy died in 2022 after struggling with depression for a long time.
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Source: Briefly News
Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for seven years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over six years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She received the Writer of the Year awards in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com
