On the morning of October 2, 2020, in the quiet community of Carrollton, Texas, 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett parked her car outside the Greentree Apartments leasing office, just as she had done many times before for work. However, that day would soon turn into a nightmare. As she settled into her routine, a man driving a black Ford Expedition pulled up beside her vehicle, stepped out, and fired a single shot through her window, striking her in the head.
- Alyssa Burkett was murdered on Oct. 2, 2020
- Andrew Beard, the prime suspect, is her child's father
- Beard attempted to conceal his involvement
- Holly Elkins, Beard's fiancée, was implicated
- Both suspects faced significant legal consequences
- Elkins received two life sentences for her role
Witnesses at the scene were horrified as Burkett, bloodied but somehow still conscious, managed to stumble out of her car in search of help. Tragically, her efforts were cut short when the shooter chased her down and brutalized her, inflicting 44 stab wounds before fleeing the scene.
Detectives quickly zeroed in on Andrew Beard, the father of Burkett’s 1-year-old daughter, Willow, as their prime suspect. When Burkett’s mother, Teresa Collard, arrived, she immediately uttered Beard’s name, believing him to be involved due to their tumultuous history. Burkett and Beard had previously experienced severe conflict, including multiple police reports and protective orders in the months leading up to the murder.
Hours after the attack, police located Beard in a traffic stop. Accompanied by his fiancée, Holly Elkins, and their infant, he was briefly detained but later released, although authorities seized his pickup truck for examination. As investigators combed through evidence, they discovered a tracking device hidden under Burkett’s car, linking it to Beard.
Later that evening, they meticulously searched Beard’s home, unveiling a battery and charger that matched the device found on Burkett’s vehicle. Moreover, they uncovered an unregistered gun silencer, raising alarm about Beard’s intentions. Police found even more staggering evidence when they seized Beard’s white F-150 truck and discovered cut-up hiking boots soaking in bleach, along with two vials of dark makeup – items that hinted at a carefully premeditated attack.
As detectives pieced the timeline together, they learned Beard had purchased the black SUV specifically to commit the crime. Eyewitness accounts and forensic data began converging into a grim narrative of obsession and violence, rooted in an ongoing custody dispute and tumultuous relationship.
In a dramatic twist, Beard turned himself in just days later once a warrant was issued for his arrest. Charged with murder, he later entered a plea deal, shifting some of the blame onto Elkins, claiming she had orchestrated the plot. This revelation triggered a full investigation into her involvement. Detectives revealed her unsettling internet searches in the days following Burkett’s death, including inquiries about how to avoid court appearances and mental health issues.
The case took another unexpected turn almost three years later, as Elkins was arrested upon her return to the country after a trip to the Dominican Republic. She faced serious charges, including conspiracy to commit stalking and using a dangerous weapon resulting in death. The courtroom drama unfolded with chilling text messages exchanged between her and Beard, unveiling their calculated plans against Burkett.
As the trial commenced in April 2024, the jury swiftly convicted Elkins on all counts after just an hour and a half of deliberation. The evidence presented—itself a chilling tapestry of deceit, obsession, and violence—painted a disturbing picture of two individuals drawn into a deadly game. On August 15, 2024, Elkins was sentenced to two life terms, each ripple of the tragedy leaving echoes in the community and among Burkett’s loved ones.
Currently, Andrew Beard remains in federal prison, having been sentenced to 43 years for cyberstalking and using a dangerous weapon resulting in death. The legal proceedings against Elkins continue to shed light on the complexities of their shared violence and obsession. The case has spurred discussions about domestic abuse, mental health, and the lengths individuals might go to amid personal entanglements, ensuring that the memory of Alyssa Burkett resonates with those who hear her story.
