Texas woman convicted of helping her fiancé stalk and kill his ex-girlfriend

CARROLLTON, Texas (TCD) -- A woman faces up to life in federal prison after recently being convicted of helping her now ex-fiancé plan the killing of his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas announced Wednesday, April 17, that a jury found Holly Elkins guilty of conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence in connection with the death of 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett. Elkins was initially indicted in June 2023.

Elkins' former fiancé, Andrew Beard, pleaded guilty to stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. A judge sentenced him to 43 years in federal prison. Beard admitted during his plea agreement that he wanted custody of his and Burkett's daughter.

According to prosecutors, Elkins "dreamt of a life with Mr. Beard" and a "mother/child relationship" with his daughter. Elkins reportedly questioned the victim's mothering skills and referred to her as different profane names, including "garbage s--t mom."

Elkins and Beard began dating in April 2020, and within a month, they went shopping for engagement rings.

According to prosecutors, in June 2020, Elkins became upset that Beard and Burkett were still associating with one another. She reportedly wrote to him and said Burkett "owns" him. Elkins also told Beard, "You choose to be idk for lack of a better term submissive to her," and "I don't want or need any bulls--t from anyone," the attorney's office said.

Elkins and Beard moved in together, and Elkins reportedly began a "campaign to harass" Burkett in the summer of 2020.

According to the attorney's office, Elkins and Beard placed a GPS tracker on Burkett's car. Using a fake name, Elkins called 911 and falsely reported that Burkett's vehicle was driving erratically.

Prosecutors said in August 2020, Elkins scratched herself and lied to police, telling them Burkett's mother had assaulted her. Elkins and Beard also hired a private investigator to find "dirt" on Burkett and her new boyfriend. However, the investigator testified in court and said they did not uncover anything incriminating.

In September 2020, Elkins reportedly helped Beard place drugs and a gun in Burkett's car, and then Beard reported to police that Burkett was "selling drugs to Black men out of her car."

Throughout September 2020, Elkins and Beard bought various items, including a black rain suit in cash, dark makeup, .410 shotgun shells, and a Camillus knife.

According to the attorney's office, Elkins texted Beard a week before Burkett's death and wrote, "I hope you handle it." She also reportedly told him to "ride or die" for her. Investigators obtained Google search records revealing Beard began searching for how to remove gunpowder from his hands after the text messages.

On Oct. 2, 2020, prosecutors said Beard shot Burkett in the head while she was sitting in her car in her work parking lot. At the time, Beard was reportedly dressed in a black rain suit and "disguised as a Black man."

Burkett, severely injured and bloody from the gunshot wound, got out of her car and reportedly tried to enter a nearby building for assistance. According to the attorney's office, Beard realized Burkett was alive and continued to stab her 44 times.

During the trial, Burkett's co-workers testified and said they discovered Burkett "covered in blood and gasping for air" just outside of the office, the attorney's office said. Co-workers tried to revive her, but she died at the scene.

Elkins stayed at Beard's residence during the incident so she had an alibi. She reportedly said Beard was home with her at the time.

According to prosecutors, Burkett's new boyfriend said in court he "believed Ms. Elkins was the 'puppet master' behind the murder."

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