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“The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett”: 48 Hours Reports June 6 2026

Ryan Gill

CBS News’ 48 Hours revisits one of the most disturbing murder conspiracies in recent Texas history with The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett, airing June 6, 2026. Reported by correspondent Peter Van Sant, the episode explores the brutal October 2020 killing of 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett, a young mother whose life was taken in a calculated murder plot fueled by obsession, jealousy, and a bitter custody dispute.

What initially appeared to be a murder committed by Alyssa’s former boyfriend soon evolved into a much larger investigation. Detectives uncovered months of stalking, harassment, false accusations, and a conspiracy involving Andrew Beard and his fiancée, Holly Elkins. Prosecutors later argued that the murder was not a spontaneous act of violence but the culmination of a campaign designed to remove Alyssa from their lives permanently.

Alyssa Burkett’s Life and the Custody Dispute

Alyssa Burkett was a young Texas mother devoted to her daughter, Willow. She shared the child with Andrew Beard, a man with whom she had a contentious relationship after their romantic partnership ended. Although the two attempted to co-parent, disagreements over custody became a recurring source of conflict.

According to family members and investigators, Beard sought primary custody of Willow and repeatedly challenged Alyssa’s fitness as a parent. While periods of peace existed between them, tensions resurfaced throughout 2020. Alyssa’s relatives later recalled that she felt increasingly uneasy and believed she was being watched. Her concerns would prove justified when investigators discovered that a GPS tracking device had been secretly attached to her vehicle.

A Campaign of Harassment Before the Murder

The investigation revealed that Alyssa’s murder was preceded by months of harassment orchestrated by Beard and Elkins. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that the couple worked together to portray Alyssa as an unfit mother in hopes of influencing custody proceedings.

Authorities determined that the pair planted a GPS tracker on Alyssa’s vehicle, filed false reports to law enforcement, and attempted to create evidence that would lead to her arrest. They allegedly planted drugs and a firearm in her car and then reported her to police. Elkins also fabricated an assault claim against Alyssa’s mother and inflicted scratches on herself to support the false accusation. Investigators described the conduct as a coordinated effort to destroy Alyssa’s reputation and remove her from Willow’s life.

The Murder in the Parking Lot

On the morning of October 2, 2020, Alyssa arrived for work at the Greentree Apartments leasing office in Carrollton, Texas. As she parked her vehicle, a black Ford Expedition pulled into the space beside her. A man exited the SUV and fired a shot through Alyssa’s driver’s side window, striking her in the head.

Despite the gunshot wound, Alyssa managed to get out of her vehicle and run toward her workplace seeking help. A bloody handprint left on a window became one of the most haunting pieces of evidence from the crime scene. Witnesses reported that the attacker returned, chased her down, and stabbed and slashed her 44 times before fleeing. Alyssa died from her injuries, leaving behind her young daughter and devastated family members.

Detectives Quickly Focus on Andrew Beard

When Alyssa’s mother, Teresa Collard, arrived at the crime scene, she immediately identified Andrew Beard as someone investigators should examine. Detectives soon learned about the custody battle and began gathering evidence connected to him.

Within hours of the murder, police stopped Beard while he was driving with Holly Elkins and Willow. A search of Beard’s residence uncovered GPS tracking equipment matching the device found on Alyssa’s vehicle, along with an unregistered gun silencer. Investigators also discovered evidence suggesting Beard had attempted to disguise himself before the attack, including dark makeup and pieces of cut-up hiking boots soaking in bleach. A black Ford Expedition used in the murder was later found abandoned near Beard’s home, and inside detectives recovered a fake beard stained with makeup.

Holly Elkins Emerges as the Mastermind

In the days following the murder, Holly Elkins voluntarily met with investigators and insisted that Beard had been home with her during the attack. She described herself as a “stage 5 clinger girlfriend” and attempted to provide an alibi for her fiancé. At first, detectives viewed her as a potential witness. That perception changed as evidence accumulated.

Investigators uncovered text messages, internet searches, receipts, and witness testimony that painted a different picture. Prosecutors argued that Elkins became obsessed with the idea of raising Willow and building a future with Beard free from Alyssa’s presence. Messages revealed her growing hostility toward Alyssa and her frustration that Beard continued to share parenting responsibilities with her. One week before the murder, Elkins sent Beard a message stating, “I hope you handle it.” Beard responded that it was his goal. Federal prosecutors later described Elkins as the driving force behind the conspiracy.

Federal Charges and Andrew Beard’s Guilty Plea

Three days after the murder, Beard surrendered to police and was charged with murder. Although he was initially released on bond, federal authorities became involved after investigators found an illegal silencer in his home. Federal prosecutors charged him with cyberstalking and firearm-related offenses connected to Alyssa’s death.

In June 2022, Beard pleaded guilty to cyberstalking resulting in death and using a dangerous weapon during a violent crime. As part of a plea agreement, he later spoke with FBI investigators and detailed Elkins’ role in planning the murder. According to Beard, Elkins directed many aspects of the scheme, including the disguise he used during the attack. In May 2023, he was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison.

The Trial and Conviction of Holly Elkins

After Beard’s cooperation, federal investigators spent approximately a year building a case against Holly Elkins. Their investigation uncovered extensive evidence linking her to the conspiracy, including text messages, internet searches, false reports, and the months-long campaign against Alyssa.

Elkins was arrested in July 2023 at Miami International Airport after returning from the Dominican Republic. She was charged with conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. Her trial began in April 2024 in federal court in Dallas. Prosecutors argued that she orchestrated the entire plot and manipulated Beard into carrying it out. After only about 90 minutes of deliberation, the jury found her guilty on all counts.

Justice for Alyssa Burkett

In August 2024, U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle sentenced Holly Elkins to two consecutive life sentences. Federal prosecutors stated that she and Beard had spent months terrorizing Alyssa through stalking, false accusations, and intimidation before resorting to murder. The sentence ensured Elkins would spend the rest of her life in prison.

For Alyssa’s family, the convictions brought accountability but could never replace what was lost. Her daughter Willow was left without her mother, and family members continue to keep Alyssa’s memory alive. Investigators involved in the case have repeatedly stated that they believe Alyssa would still be alive had Beard and Elkins never met. The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett examines not only a shocking murder but also the devastating consequences of obsession, manipulation, and unchecked hatred.

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