A week before Texas mom Alyssa Burkett’s murder, the killer received a text: “I hope you handle it”

You May Be Interested In:12/6: CBS Evening News


After Alyssa Burkett was murdered, detectives quickly learned that the prime suspect was the father of her child, Andrew Beard. But as the investigation unfolded, they would find out that Beard wasn’t the only one involved in the murder plot.

 Take a look inside the investigation.

Oct. 2, 2020 | 9 a.m.

Alyssa Burkett crime scene
On the morning of Oct. 2, 2020, Alyssa Burkett parked outside the Greentree Apartments leasing office when a man in a black Ford Expedition pulled into the spot next to her. He got out of his SUV and shot Burkett through the driver’s side window.

Carrollton Police Department


Shortly after 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett pulled into her parking space at work in Carrollton, Texas, a man with a gun shot her in the head through her car window and fled.

Alyssa Burkett crime scene
On a window at the Greentree Apartments leasing office “there was a blood handprint smear where Alyssa (Burkett) was trying to get anyone to come out and help her,” said Carrollton Police Sgt. Michael Harding. 

Carrollton Police Department


Burkett survived the gun blast, got out of her car and tried to get help. Her bloody hand left a print on the office window.

The assailant saw Burkett running and chased after her. He stabbed and slashed Alyssa 44 times and left the scene in his black SUV.

burkett-beard-combo.jpg
Andrew Beard, left, and Alyssa Burkett with their daughter Willow.

Lizatte Bowers/Alyssa Burkett, Facebook


When Burkett’s mother, Teresa Collard, arrived at the scene, she immediately gave detectives a name: Andrew Beard. Beard was the father of Burkett’s 1-year-old child, Willow. 

Oct. 2, 2020 | 12 p.m.

Andrew Beard police bodycam
Andrew Beard, right, is seen with an officer in a resized still from police bodycam video during a stop for an alleged traffic violation on the day Alyssa Burkett was killed.

Carrollton Police Department


Hours after the murder, police officers stopped Beard in his white Ford F-150 pickup truck. His fiancée, Holly Elkins, and baby Willow were with him. Beard was told he could leave the scene, but he couldn’t return home. Officers also seized his pickup truck.

Oct. 2, 2020 | 9 p.m.

Alyssa Burkett evidence
A tracking device found on Alyssa Burkett’s car.

Carrollton Police Department


Later that night, police searched Beard’s home and found a GPS tracker battery and charging stations that matched a tracking device detectives discovered under Burkett’s car earlier that day.

Alyssa Burkett evidence
The gun silencer found in Andrew Beard’s home.

Carrollton Police Department


Investigators also uncovered what they believed to be an unregistered gun silencer. 

Oct. 3, 2020 | 12 p.m.

Alyssa Burkett evidence
Vials of dark colored makeup and a pair of cut up hiking boots were found during a search of Andrew Beard’s pickup truck.

Carrollton Police Department


The next day, detectives searched Beard’s white F-150 pickup truck and found a backpack. Inside, they uncovered two bottles of dark brown makeup, and a pair of men’s hiking boots that had been cut into pieces and were soaking in bleach.

Oct. 3, 2020

burkett-abandonedsuv.jpg
Police learned Andrew Beard had bought the black SUV specifically to commit the murder.

Carrollton Police Department


Later that night, police located that black Ford SUV the assailant drove to the scene. It was found abandoned less than a mile from Beard’s house.

Fake beard evidence
During a search of Andrew Beard’s SUV, Carrollton Police found part of his disguise: a fake beard.

Carrolton Police Department


When detectives searched the SUV, they found a fake beard smeared with dark brown makeup.

Oct. 5, 2020

Andrew Beard booking photo
Three days after Alyssa Burkett was killed, Beard turned himself in to Carrolton, Texas, police.

Carrolton Police Department


When Beard learned there was a warrant for his arrest, he turned himself in to the Carrollton Police Department. He was charged with murder.

Oct. 6, 2020

Beard’s fiancée, Holly Elkins, voluntarily went to speak with detectives at the Carrollton Police Department.

Holly Elkins with detectives
Holly Elkins is interviewed by Carrollton Police detectives Jeremy Chevallier and Michael Harding.

Carrolton Police Department


During the interview, Elkins told investigators that Beard was at home with her on the morning of the murder. She also described herself as a “stage 5 clinger girlfriend,” and said she would have known if Beard left the house that morning.

Oct. 6, 2020 | 1:30 p.m.

Holly Elkins' internet searches
Some of Holly Elkins’ internet searches.

Carrollton Police Department


After her interview, investigators said Elkins made the following internet searches:

“Can I not be brought to court if I have a psychiatrist note?”

“vulnerable patients going to court”

“contact psychiatrist in Dallas”

“Can I not be subpoenaed to jail if I have a mental issue?”

Oct. 29, 2020

Beard spent two weeks behind bars before he was released on bond. Carrollton Police Det. Jeremy Chevallier said he was worried about baby Willow’s safety, so he reached out to the federal government to take the case under federal firearm laws.

Because detectives found an unregistered silencer during the search of Beard’s home, the federal government agreed to take the case.

Andrew Beard was rearrested and charged with cyberstalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death.

Carrollton Police Department


Eight days after he bonded out, Beard was rearrested and ultimately charged with cyberstalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death.

July 15, 2022

In June 2022, Beard pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and using a dangerous weapon resulting in death.  

Andrew Beard with FBI agents
A year and nine months after Alyssa Burkett was killed, Andrew Beard spoke to the FBI as part of a plea deal.

FBI


One month later, he spoke to the FBI as part of a plea deal. And he had a lot to say about Elkins’ involvement in Burkett’s murder.

“…It was…’this is how you’re gonna do this,’ it was, ‘… you’re gonna wear this dark makeup …’ That was her plan…that’s how it’s gonna be done,” Beard told the FBI. 

May 24, 2023

Beard was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison. 

June 21, 2023

After speaking with Beard, the FBI spent about a year building a case against Elkins.

Investigators found internet searches and a Walgreens receipt that connected her to the crime.  

Holly Elkins texts
Text messages between Holly Elkins and Andrew Beard.

Carrollton Police Department


They also dug into text messages between Elkins and Beard. In a text sent to Beard one week before Burkett’s murder, Elkins wrote, “I hope you handle it I’m not coming home to b**s***”

Elkins was indicted on three charges: conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury and death and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

July 6, 2023

Holly Elkins booking photo
Holly Elkins was arrested by federal agents almost three years after Alyssa Burkett’s death.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Office


Elkins was arrested at the Miami airport by federal agents after returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic. 

April 9 – 16, 2024

Andrew Beard, Holly Elkins and Willow
Andrew Beard and Holly Elkins with Willow, the daughter Beard shared with Alyssa Burkett.

Lizette Bowers


Elkins’ trial began at the federal courthouse in downtown Dallas. After six days, the case went to the jury.

April 17, 2024

Holly Elkins
Holly Elkins

Stephen Green


The jury deliberated for about an hour-and-a-half before they found Elkins guilty on all counts. On Aug. 15, 2024, Elkins was sentenced to two life terms. 

share Paylaş facebook pinterest whatsapp x print

Similar Content

Wimbledon tennis tournament to use AI to make line calls in break with tradition
Wimbledon tennis tournament to use AI to make line calls in break with tradition
New report details ‘vast spying’ by China-linked telecom hackers
New report details ‘vast spying’ by China-linked telecom hackers
Trump taps retired Gen. Keith Kellogg for Ukraine envoy
Trump taps retired Gen. Keith Kellogg for Ukraine envoy
Subnautica 2 hits early access in 2025 with four-player co-op
Subnautica 2 hits early access in 2025 with four-player co-op
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered hits the PS4 and PS5 on February 14
Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered hits the PS4 and PS5 on February 14
Walmart the latest big corporation to scale back DEI policies after pressure from conservative activists
Walmart the latest big corporation to scale back DEI policies after pressure from conservative activists
The Daily Lens | © 2024 | News