On a crisp October morning in 2020, Alyssa Burkett pulled into her workplace parking lot in Carrollton, Texas. She was 24. She had a one-year-old daughter, Willow, who was the center of her world. Moments later, a man in a black SUV pulled up, stepped out, and changed everything. He didn't just want her gone; he wanted to erase her.
This is the story featured on 48 Hours: The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett, a case that goes way beyond a simple custody dispute. It’s a chilling look at how a toxic relationship and a "puppet master" can drive someone to commit the unthinkable.
The Ambush Outside the Leasing Office
The attack was brutal. It started with a shotgun blast through the driver's side window. Alyssa, somehow still clinging to life, scrambled out of her car and tried to run for the safety of her office. But the killer wasn't done. He chased her down and stabbed her over 40 times with a hunting knife.
Witnesses described the attacker as a Black man. However, those close to Alyssa knew exactly who to look for. When her mother, Teresa Collard, arrived at the scene, she didn't hesitate. She told police one name: Andrew Beard.
Beard was Alyssa’s ex-boyfriend and the father of Willow. They were locked in a nasty custody battle. He wanted sole custody, and he was losing.
The Disguise and the "Monster"
When police pulled Andrew Beard over just hours after the murder, they found something strange in his truck. It wasn't just a gun or a knife. It was two bottles of dark foundation makeup—shade "Java"—and a fake beard.
Detectives realized that Beard, a white man, had worn "blackface" to frame a stranger for the crime. He had even used a GPS tracker to follow her every move. The technical evidence was a slam dunk. In May 2023, Andrew Beard was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison.
But the story didn't end with Beard's confession. It actually got weirder. As investigators dug into his life, they found a second person pulling the strings: his new fiancée, Holly Elkins.
Who Was Holly Elkins?
If Beard was the monster, prosecutors argued that Holly Elkins was the one who created him. Honestly, her involvement is what makes this case truly terrifying. She didn't just know about the plan; she helped refine it.
Text messages recovered by the FBI showed a woman obsessed with removing Alyssa from the picture. She called Alyssa "garbage" and a "dumb bh." She was frustrated that Beard still had to talk to his "baby mama." One week before the murder, while she was on a trip to Mexico, she texted Beard: "I hope you handle it. I’m not coming home to bs***."
Beard’s response? "That’s my goal."
The Campaign of Terror
Before the murder, the couple spent months harassing Alyssa. It wasn't just mean texts. It was a systematic attempt to ruin her life so Beard could get the baby.
- They planted drugs and a gun in her car and called the police.
- Elkins made a fake 911 call claiming Alyssa was driving erratically.
- Elkins even scratched her own chest and told police Alyssa’s mother had attacked her.
When the fake police reports didn't work, they pivoted to murder. Elkins was right there when they bought the black rainsuit. She was there when they bought the shotgun shells and the knife. She even bought the dark makeup Beard used for his disguise.
The Trial of the "Puppet Master"
In April 2024, Holly Elkins finally faced a jury. Her defense tried to argue she was just a bystander, but the evidence was overwhelming. While Beard was out committing the murder, Elkins stayed at his house with baby Willow, trying to act as his alibi.
The jury only needed 90 minutes.
They found her guilty on all counts, including conspiracy to stalk and stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death. Three months later, she received two consecutive life sentences. That’s a significantly harsher sentence than the man who actually pulled the trigger.
Lessons From a Tragedy
The 48 Hours: The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett episode highlights a specific type of danger that often gets overlooked: the "ride or die" mentality taken to a psychopathic extreme.
Alyssa knew she was in danger. She had told her family she was being followed. She had even told police she thought Beard planted the drugs in her car. But because the harassment was so calculated and used "official" channels like 911, the system was slow to protect her.
If you or someone you know is dealing with a high-conflict custody situation or obsessive stalking, here are a few takeaways based on the investigative findings of this case:
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- Document everything, even the small stuff. Alyssa's family was able to provide a clear timeline because she had shared her fears and the weird "coincidences" she noticed.
- Trust your gut on GPS. If you think you're being followed, have a professional sweep your car. Beard used a simple battery-powered tracker that was easily hidden.
- Digital footprints don't lie. The FBI’s ability to recover deleted texts and Google search history (like Beard searching "how to remove gunpowder from hands") was what ultimately secured the life sentences.
Alyssa Burkett’s family is now dedicated to making sure Willow knows how much her mother loved her. They want her to remember the life, not just the "plot" that ended it.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch the Full Investigation: You can stream the full episode of 48 Hours: The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett on Paramount+ or the CBS News website to see the actual police interrogation footage.
- Report Stalking Early: If you suspect you are being tracked, contact local law enforcement and request a vehicle sweep for GPS devices.
- Support Domestic Violence Prevention: Organizations like the National Domestic Violence Hotline provide resources for those trapped in escalating harassment situations.