When Alyssa Burkett was killed in broad daylight at an apartment complex in Carrollton, Texas in October 2020, the entire community was shocked to its core. According to the victim’s ex-boyfriend, Andrew Beard, was found guilty and sentenced, the case took a turn as he allegedly had help from his fiancee, Holly Elkins. The entire case of Alyssa’s murder, which was full of twists and turns, is explored in detail in CBS’s “48 Hours: The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett,” which also consists of insightful and in-depth interviews with the victim’s loved ones.

Holly Elkins and Andrew Beard worked to make Alyssa Burkett’s life hell

Holly Ann Elkins started dating Andrew Beard in early April 2020, shortly after he ended things with his mother, Alyssa Burkett. Within weeks of their relationship, she was also introduced to his daughter, Willow Ann. One thing led to another, and the couple began looking for engagement rings by the following month. Until then, it was assumed that Holly had dreamed of a future with Andrew and his daughter. However, with Andrew’s ex-girlfriend and the mother of his daughter still in the picture, it seemed like a far-fetched dream.

In June 2020, Holly’s frustrations with Andrew’s association with Alyssa escalated. After moving into his house, she managed to convince him to launch a campaign of harassment against her in the following months. For example, the couple installed a GPS tracking device on Willow’s mother’s car, and on July 25, Holly allegedly falsely reported that Alyssa was driving dangerously on the highway. A few weeks later, reports suggest that Andrew’s fiancee also claimed that his ex-girlfriend’s mother assaulted her. The two even paid a private detective to find some dirt on Alyssa and her new boyfriend.

Exactly one month before the fateful day, in an attempt to arrest Alyssa, Holly and Andrew allegedly placed illegal drugs and a handgun in the trunk of her car. Despite all these attempts, the couple failed to arrest her. So, they supposedly started plotting to kill her. On September 10, 2020, Holly went shopping for a black rain suit with her fiance. Over the next few days, they bought a vehicle, some dark makeup, a Camillus knife, and .410 shotgun shells. In late September, she texted him from Mexico, “I hope you’re doing well, I’m not coming home to t***i***,” and told him that if he wasn’t willing to be full of her or to die, the relationship could not continue.

Andrew pleaded guilty and blamed Holly for conspiring with him

The blackmail conversation served as enough motivation for Andrew to commit the cold-blooded murder on October 2, 2020, in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Carrollton. A few hours later, the police pulled over his truck with Holly and Willow inside. Authorities not only impounded the vehicle, but also searched his home that night, only to find GPS tracking batteries that linked him to Alyssa’s murder. During her cross-examination, Holly told detectives: “I can’t believe my fiance would do something like that to a woman or someone…” She also formed an alibi for him, claiming he was with her and Willow at home at the time of the murder.

As the police found no evidence to connect her to the murder, she remained free, but only until Andrew pleaded guilty in June 2022 and spilled the beans about the couple’s murder plan. In May 2023, Andrew Beard was convicted of murdering Alyssa Burkett, and just months later, police arrested Holly Elkins at the Miami airport after returning from the Dominican Republic and charged her with conspiracy to pursue, pursuing using a dangerous weapon. resulting in serious bodily injury and death and possession of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.

Holly Elkins is currently incarcerated in a Texas prison

Unlike Andrew Beard, Holly Elkins pleaded not guilty and chose to stand trial for Alyssa Burkett’s murder. At her trial in April 2024, the victim’s new boyfriend testified against her that he believed she was the “puppet master” behind the murder. Meanwhile, the prosecution pointed out that the defendant wanted custody of Willow. After a week-long trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict after an hour and a half of deliberation. They convicted her of all the charges against her.

After the verdict was announced, Alyssa’s mother, Teresa Collard, expressed how overwhelmed she was. She told Fox 4: “But overwhelming emotions happy, happy because finally, finally. This has been a long time coming.” She also commented on the fact that Holly showed no signs of emotion during the trial. She explained: “No emotion at all. She had nothing. I don’t even know if he blinked.” A few months later, on August 15, 2024, Holly Elkins was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. As of today, he is reportedly serving time behind bars in a Texas penitentiary.

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