Alyssa Burkett Murder in Carrolton Texas

On October 2, 2020, Alyssa Burkett, a 24-year-old leasing office assistant manager and loving mother, was brutally murdered outside her workplace at the Greentree Apartments in Carrollton, Texas. In broad daylight, she was shot through the window of her car and then stabbed 44 times as she desperately tried to seek help.

The ferocity of the attack, carried out in a public space, left the community in shock. Witnesses who saw the attack described the perpetrator as a Black man. However, as the investigation unfolded, it became clear that this description was part of a larger scheme to deceive authorities. The real attacker was later revealed to be Andrew Beard, Alyssa’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her 1-year-old daughter, Willow.

What initially seemed like a random attack soon became a shocking tale of control, jealousy, and obsession. This tragedy, rooted in a bitter custody battle, would eventually expose an even more sinister force behind the murder — Beard’s fiancée, Holly Elkins, who investigators later called the “puppet master” behind the plot.

The Bitter Custody Battle That Turned Deadly

Alyssa Burkett and Andrew Beard had a brief romantic relationship that resulted in the birth of their daughter, Willow, in July 2019. While Alyssa was a young, hardworking mother trying to make ends meet, Beard had a more stable financial background and an established career. Their differences in financial status played a significant role in the custody battle that soon followed.

At first, Beard had suggested that he take full custody of Willow, but Alyssa refused. She was determined to raise her daughter on her own, even if it meant facing financial hardship. The two parents shared joint custody, but Beard’s relentless pursuit of full custody caused mounting stress and financial strain on Alyssa.

Her family recalled how terrified she was of losing Willow. Her sister, Madison Grimes, said Alyssa believed Beard would do anything to gain custody of their child, and that belief was later validated. Beard’s persistent attempts to regain custody included dragging Alyssa to court on multiple occasions, which drained her emotionally and financially.

At one point, Alyssa told her family she felt like she was being watched. She noticed Beard would mysteriously appear in places she visited, and she suspected he was tracking her. Her fears were confirmed after detectives later discovered a GPS tracker attached to her car.

Despite these challenges, Alyssa remained determined to care for her daughter. Her friends and family described her as a doting mother who loved Willow with all her heart. But the pressures of the custody battle would ultimately place her in a deadly situation.

The Shocking Murder in Broad Daylight

On the morning of October 2, 2020, Alyssa parked her car outside the Greentree Apartments leasing office, where she worked as an assistant manager. She had no idea that she was being watched. Moments later, a black Ford Expedition pulled into the spot next to hers.

According to witness statements, a man stepped out of the SUV carrying a gun. He approached Alyssa’s car and shot her through the window, shattering the glass and hitting her in the face, destroying her left eye. Assuming she was dead, the attacker began to drive away.

But Alyssa wasn’t dead. She managed to open the door and climb out of the car. She stumbled toward the leasing office, hoping to get help from her co-workers inside. Witnesses watched in horror as the attacker returned, this time armed with a hunting knife. He chased Alyssa, caught up with her, and launched a frenzied attack, stabbing her a total of 44 times.

One of Alyssa’s bloody handprints was found smeared on the leasing office window, a tragic sign of her final moments. Sadly, none of her co-workers came outside to help, as they believed it was an active shooter situation and feared for their own safety.

When first responders arrived, they attempted to save her, but it was too late. Alyssa died at the scene, her body covered in stab wounds.

The Investigation and Arrest of Andrew Beard

Immediately after the murder, police began investigating the attack. Alyssa’s mother, Teresa Collard, who rushed to the scene after hearing the news, immediately named a suspect: Andrew Beard. She was convinced he was responsible.

Police soon tracked down Beard’s F-150 pickup truck and pulled it over. Inside the truck were Beard, his fiancée, Holly Elkins, and his daughter, Willow. Police seized the truck, but since they had no warrant at the time, Beard, Elkins, and Willow were allowed to leave.

But when police searched Beard’s home later that night, they found critical evidence that tied him directly to the murder:

• Batteries and charging stations matching the GPS tracker that had been found under Alyssa’s car.
• Two bottles of dark makeup that Beard used to disguise himself as a Black man, matching the description provided by witnesses.
• Handwritten notes with Alyssa’s car details, the license plate, and a script for a fake 911 call made a month earlier in which Beard framed Alyssa as a drug dealer.

The following day, police searched Beard’s F-150 pickup and found more damning evidence, including a fake Halloween beard and additional blood evidence.

On October 5, 2020, just three days after the murder, Beard was charged with murder and surrendered himself to authorities. But to the shock of Alyssa’s family, he was released on bond just two weeks later.

The Role of Holly Elkins: The Mastermind of the Plot

At first, Beard was seen as the sole perpetrator of the crime. But soon, detectives began to focus on Holly Elkins, Beard’s fiancée.

At first, Elkins positioned herself as a supportive partner. She told police she was willing to help and even suggested Beard was innocent. But as detectives dug deeper, they discovered she was far more than just a bystander.

Text messages between Beard and Elkins revealed her role as the mastermind. She had been encouraging Beard to “handle” the situation with Alyssa. In one text, sent just days before the murder, she told Beard:

“I hope you handle it. I’m not coming home to BS.”

Beard later confessed that Elkins planned every detail of the murder, from the use of dark makeup to the timing of the attack. She also orchestrated the earlier attempt to frame Alyssa as a drug dealer.

Trials and Sentencing of Andrew Beard and Holly Elkins

In June 2022, Andrew Beard pleaded guilty to cyberstalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death. He was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison. In exchange, Beard agreed to testify against Holly Elkins.

Elkins believed she had evaded punishment, but in July 2023, federal agents arrested her at the Miami airport after she returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic.

Elkins went to trial in April 2024. The prosecution argued that Elkins was the true puppet master, controlling Beard and pushing him to kill Alyssa. One prosecutor declared,

“Andrew Beard is a monster, but he was Holly Elkins’ monster.”

It only took the jury 90 minutes to find Elkins guilty on all counts. In July 2024, she was sentenced to two life terms in prison, a harsher punishment than the one Beard received.

The Aftermath and Legacy of Alyssa Burkett

The murder of Alyssa Burkett remains a haunting reminder of how jealousy, obsession, and control can escalate into deadly violence. Her death left a void in the lives of her loved ones, especially her daughter, Willow, who is now being raised by Alyssa’s mother, Teresa Collard.

Collard has since become a vocal advocate for stronger protections for women involved in custody battles. Her mission is to ensure that no other family has to endure what hers did.

Today, Alyssa’s family keeps her memory alive by visiting her gravesite, talking about her love for Willow, and sharing her story. They hope her story serves as a reminder of the dangers of domestic violence, manipulation, and unchecked obsession.

Justice has been served with the sentencing of both Andrew Beard and Holly Elkins, but the pain of losing Alyssa will never fully heal for those who loved her.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, please seek help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. You are not alone.