Who Is Holly Elkins & Where Is She Now? 2026 Update & Profile

Holly Ann Elkins became one of the central figures in the murder of 24-year-old Texas mother Alyssa Burkett. Although she did not carry out the killing herself, federal prosecutors argued that she orchestrated the conspiracy that ultimately led to Alyssa’s death. During trial, investigators and witnesses described Elkins as the driving force behind a months-long campaign of stalking, harassment, and manipulation that ended with a brutal murder in October 2020.

The case drew national attention because of the extensive planning involved. Prosecutors alleged that Elkins became obsessed with the idea of building a life with her fiancé, Andrew Beard, and raising his daughter, Willow, without Alyssa in the picture. According to evidence presented in court, that desire evolved into a conspiracy that destroyed multiple lives and left a young child without her mother.

• “The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett”: 48 Hours Reports June 6 2026
• Who Was Alyssa Burkett & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Profile

Who Is Holly Elkins?

At the time of the murder investigation, Holly Elkins lived in Rowlett, Texas, and was engaged to Andrew Beard, the father of Alyssa Burkett’s daughter. The relationship between Elkins and Beard developed rapidly in early 2020 while Beard was involved in an ongoing custody dispute with Alyssa over their daughter.

Federal prosecutors later argued that Elkins became deeply involved in Beard’s custody battle and began viewing Alyssa as an obstacle. Court testimony revealed that Elkins wanted a future with Beard and hoped to establish a mother-daughter relationship with Willow. When legal efforts to gain greater custody failed, investigators say the harassment campaign against Alyssa intensified.

The Campaign Against Alyssa Burkett

Evidence presented at trial showed that Elkins and Beard engaged in a series of schemes designed to damage Alyssa’s reputation and influence custody proceedings. They secretly attached a GPS tracking device to Alyssa’s vehicle, allowing them to monitor her movements. Elkins also made false reports to law enforcement claiming Alyssa was driving recklessly.

The conspiracy escalated over the following months. Prosecutors showed that Elkins helped plant drugs and a firearm in Alyssa’s vehicle before police were notified. She also falsely accused Alyssa’s mother, Teresa Collard, of assault and created scratches on her own body to support the fabricated claim. A private investigator was hired to find damaging information about Alyssa, but the effort produced nothing useful.

Planning the Murder

Investigators uncovered evidence showing that Elkins was involved in preparations leading up to the murder. Surveillance records, receipts, and testimony established that she accompanied Beard on shopping trips where he purchased items later connected to the attack, including a knife, ammunition, and disguise materials. Prosecutors also showed that Elkins purchased dark makeup that Beard used to alter his appearance on the day of the killing.

One of the most damaging pieces of evidence was a text message sent by Elkins to Beard a week before the murder. In the message, she wrote, “I hope you handle it.” Prosecutors argued that the message reflected mounting pressure on Beard to eliminate Alyssa. Beard later told the FBI that Elkins instructed him on aspects of the murder plan, including the disguise he would wear.

Arrest, Trial and Conviction

For nearly three years after Alyssa’s murder, Elkins remained free while investigators built a case against her. The breakthrough came after Beard pleaded guilty and began cooperating with federal authorities. His statements, combined with digital evidence, text messages, receipts, and witness testimony, helped prosecutors establish Elkins’ role in the conspiracy.

Elkins was arrested by federal agents at Miami International Airport in July 2023 after returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic. She pleaded not guilty and chose to go to trial. In April 2024, after a week-long federal trial in Dallas, a jury deliberated for only about 90 minutes before finding her guilty on all counts, including conspiracy to stalk and stalking resulting in death.

Where Is Holly Elkins Now?

On August 15, 2024, U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle sentenced Holly Elkins to two consecutive life sentences. The Department of Justice stated that Elkins and Beard had spent months terrorizing Alyssa before ultimately plotting her murder. The sentence ensures that Elkins will spend the rest of her life in federal custody.

As of 2026, Elkins remains incarcerated in the federal prison system. Multiple reports indicate she is serving her sentence in Texas, with some identifying Federal Medical Center Carswell in Fort Worth as her current facility. Regardless of the exact institution, she is expected to remain imprisoned for life.

A Lasting Legacy of the Case

Investigators involved in the case have repeatedly stated that they believe Alyssa Burkett would still be alive if not for the influence of Holly Elkins. Throughout the trial, prosecutors portrayed Elkins as the architect of a relentless campaign that escalated from harassment to murder. One witness described her as the “puppet master” behind the crime, a characterization that became closely associated with the prosecution’s theory of the case.

Today, Holly Elkins’ name remains linked to one of the most notorious custody-related murder conspiracies in Texas history. While she serves multiple life sentences, Alyssa’s family continues to focus on preserving Alyssa’s memory and raising Willow, the daughter whose future became the center of a deadly obsession.

More “The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett”

• “The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett”: 48 Hours Reports June 6 2026
• Who Was Alyssa Burkett & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Profile
• Who Is Holly Elkins & Where Is She Now? 2026 Update & Profile