Alyssa Burkett Murder: Investigators Uncover Twisted Plot Involving Ex-Partner and Fiancée

On October 2, 2020, 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett was brutally murdered outside her office in Carrollton, Texas, in a case that would unravel a complex and disturbing plot. Burkett, who was in the midst of a bitter custody dispute with Andrew Beard, the father of her 1-year-old daughter Willow, was shot and then stabbed 44 times by her assailant.

Initially, suspicion fell on Andrew Beard, with whom Burkett had a contentious relationship. Beard had filed for primary custody of their daughter and had a history of conflicts with Burkett. However, as the investigation progressed, detectives discovered that Beard was not acting alone. His fiancée, Holly Elkins, emerged as a key figure in the murder plot.

Elkins, who began a relationship with Beard in April 2020, grew increasingly frustrated with Beard’s ongoing interactions with Burkett. She orchestrated a campaign of harassment against Burkett, including placing a GPS tracker on Burkett’s vehicle, making false 911 calls, and falsely reporting incidents to the police. Elkins also helped Beard plant drugs and a gun in Burkett’s car and then reported Burkett to the police for allegedly selling drugs.

On the day of the murder, Beard, disguised as a Black man, shot Burkett in the head with a shotgun and then stabbed and slashed her multiple times as she tried to escape. The investigation revealed that Elkins was the mastermind behind the murder, using Beard to carry out the crime. Text messages between Elkins and Beard exposed her hatred for Burkett and her role in planning the murder.

In May 2023, Beard was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison for his role in the murder. However, investigators continued to build a case against Elkins. She was arrested in July 2023 at the Miami airport after returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic and was charged with conspiracy to stalk and stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death. Elkins was later convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in August 2023).

The case will be featured in an episode of CBS‘s “48 Hours” titled “The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett,” airing on November 16, 2024, which delves into the intricate details of the investigation and the twisted motives behind the murder).