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Who Was Alyssa Burkett & What Happened to Her? 2026 Update & Profile

Ryan Gill

Alyssa Ann Burkett was a 24-year-old Texas mother whose life was cut short on October 2, 2020, in a murder that shocked the nation. Her case later became the focus of both 48 Hours and ABC’s 20/20, revealing how a bitter custody dispute evolved into a calculated murder plot involving her former boyfriend, Andrew Beard, and his fiancée, Holly Elkins.

Friends and family remembered Alyssa as a determined young woman who was devoted to her daughter, Willow. She worked as an assistant property manager at the Greentree Apartments in Carrollton, Texas, while building a future for herself and her child. According to her obituary, she was ambitious, strong-willed, and a natural leader who was deeply loved by family and friends.

Early Life and Family

Alyssa was born on December 31, 1995, in Mesquite, Texas, to Josh Forsyth and Teresa Ann Burkett. She grew up surrounded by a large blended family that included sisters Taylor Forsyth and Madison Grimes, along with several step-siblings. Family members described her childhood as filled with love and close relationships.

As an adult, Alyssa became a mother to her daughter, Willow Ann. Those closest to her said motherhood became the center of her life. Her younger sister later recalled that everything Alyssa did, from her career ambitions to her educational goals, was motivated by providing a stable future for Willow.

Relationship with Andrew Beard

Alyssa met Andrew Beard several years before her death, and the relationship resulted in the birth of their daughter in July 2019. After the relationship ended, disagreements over parenting and custody became a major source of conflict. Beard sought primary custody of Willow, creating a legal battle that placed significant emotional and financial strain on Alyssa.

Family members said Alyssa feared losing custody because Beard had greater financial resources and a more stable financial situation. Despite those concerns, she remained committed to raising Willow and continued working and pursuing her personal goals. As the custody dispute intensified, Alyssa reportedly told family and friends that she felt she was being followed and watched. Those fears would later prove to be well-founded.

The Murder of Alyssa Burkett

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

Despite suffering a gunshot wound to the head, Alyssa managed to get out of her vehicle and run toward the leasing office for help. Investigators later found a bloody handprint on a window where she had tried to attract attention. The attacker chased her down and stabbed and slashed her dozens of times before fleeing the scene. She died from her injuries, leaving behind her one-year-old daughter.

The Investigation and Conspiracy

From the beginning, Alyssa’s mother suspected Andrew Beard. Investigators soon uncovered evidence linking him to the crime, including a GPS tracking device that had been attached to Alyssa’s vehicle, disguise materials, and a vehicle used during the attack.

The investigation revealed that the murder was the culmination of a months-long campaign of harassment. Authorities determined that Beard and his fiancée, Holly Elkins, had planted drugs and a firearm in Alyssa’s car, filed false reports against her, tracked her movements, and attempted to portray her as an unfit mother. Prosecutors later described Elkins as the driving force behind the conspiracy, motivated by her desire to raise Willow and build a life with Beard without Alyssa in the picture.

Justice and Alyssa’s Legacy

Andrew Beard ultimately pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the murder and was sentenced to 43 years in prison. Holly Elkins was convicted after trial and received two life sentences. Together, the convictions brought an end to one of the most elaborate custody-related murder conspiracies prosecuted in Texas.

Today, Alyssa’s family continues to honor her memory while raising Willow. Family members have spoken about their desire to ensure that Willow grows up knowing who her mother was: a loving parent who worked hard to create a better life for her daughter. Although Alyssa’s life ended at just 24 years old, those who knew her continue to remember her as a devoted mother, a caring daughter and sister, and a young woman whose future was stolen by a senseless act of violence.

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