Ex-boyfriend and his fiancée behind fatal stabbing, shooting of Texas mom Alyssa Burkett

Within the months after Alyssa Burkett was murdered, she appeared to her mom, Teresa Collard, in a dream.

Teresa Collard:  I see her throughout the room and in my dream — I knew she was gone however I used to be hysterically pleased that I used to be seeing her and I used to be considering  “you are again.”

Teresa Collard: She got here to me and stated, no, I am not again. And I do not wish to come again and I by no means wish to be there once more. I used to be puzzled why do not you wish to come again and she or he stated, as a result of I used to be all the time afraid there.”

Though 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett had been afraid for months, the assault on the condo complicated the place she labored in Carrollton, Texas, north of Dallas, got here as a shock.

THE DEADLY ATTACK ON ALYSSA BURKETT

In response to Sgt. Michael Harding, one of many lead detectives, Alyssa pulled into her traditional parking area at round 9 a.m.

Sgt. Michael Harding (within the parking zone): Alyssa’s automobile was really parked proper right here … the place the inexperienced van is true right here. … And the assailant’s car had parked proper subsequent to her …

Witnesses say the assailant exited his car, a black Ford Expedition SUV, with a gun in his hand.

Sgt. Michael Harding (within the condo complicated parking zone): She had the window up and he shot proper by way of the wind — proper by way of the window.

Upkeep supervisor Darin Ickeler, who was about 15 toes away — “it was horrible” — heard the gun blast and circled.

Peter Van Sant: What do you see?

Darin Ickeler | Witness: I see, uh, uh, black SUV beginning to again out of the parking spot.

Investigators imagine the shooter thought Alyssa was lifeless. The blast had destroyed her left eye and a part of her face. However Alyssa Burkett was nonetheless alive.

Sgt. Michael Harding (within the parking zone):  She will get out of her automobile. She walks as much as this touchdown to attempt to get assist as a result of she is aware of her — her coworkers are right here.

The shooter, described by some as a Black man, received out of the car and commenced sprinting towards Alyssa. This time with a brand new weapon in his hand — one thing extra private: a big searching knife.

Sgt. Michael Harding: He begins to — to stab her, she’s nonetheless combating. … (On a window of the constructing) there was a blood handprint smear the place Alyssa was attempting to get anybody to come back out and assist her.”

However fearing it was an energetic shooter scenario, they stayed inside, and the attacker launched right into a rabid killing frenzy — plunging his knife into flesh and bone time and again. Extremely, Alyssa was nonetheless respiration when her assailant fled.

Sgt. Michael Harding: As soon as the suspect left, her coworkers got here out to attempt to render support.

One in every of her colleagues made this name to 911:

911 DISPATCHER: 911, what’s the handle of the emergency?

CALLER: Somebody got here up and simply shot my — my assistant supervisor.

911 DISPATCHER: The place is the shooter?

CALLER: I haven’t got sufficient data. He could also be gone, he left in his automobile, he actually left a second in the past.

Darin Ickeler: Fireplace division pulled up first. They arrive up. I get out of the best way and allow them to do their factor.

Peter Van Sant: They begin engaged on her proper right here.

Darin Ickeler: Instantly. Yeah. And it was too late. She was gone.

Alyssa had been stabbed and slashed a complete of 44 occasions. Alyssa’s mom instantly gave the police a reputation, and it wasn’t a Black man; it was Andrew Beard.

Teresa Collard (police bodycam video): (Crying) I do know he did this … he’s an evil individual.

Collard informed detectives that Andrew Beard and Alyssa had been within the throes of an unpleasant custody battle over their 1-year-old daughter, Willow Ann — a battle that started when Alyssa was nonetheless pregnant says her good friend, Brandi Reagan.

Brandi Reagan: He initiated by asking her if he may have full custody of the newborn after the newborn was born.

Peter Van Sant:  And what did Alyssa need to say to his concept of him getting full custody?

Brandi Reagan: “You higher be effing kidding me …”

Alyssa and Beard had been worlds other than the start. He was nearly 9 years older, established with job at a software firm, a pleasant home, and even had a airplane. She was 22, beloved consuming turkey legs at state festivals and was nonetheless figuring life out. After assembly on a courting app, that they had a fling, nothing severe. However then she discovered she was pregnant says her good friend and roommate, Shelbie Wright.

Shelbie Wright: I will always remember. … she’s simply standing there, hysterically crying, um, and upset. … She could not even converse, and she or he arms me a being pregnant check that stated constructive. And I actually had no phrases for her.

However because the being pregnant progressed, Alyssa’s fears turned to pleasure, says Wright — particularly when she realized it was a lady. On July 23, 2019, Alyssa gave start to a child woman she named Willow.

Peter Van Sant: And once you noticed them collectively … Alyssa and Willow, what was that have like?

Shelbie Wright: Wonderful. Motherhood seemed nice on her. Sure (laughs).

Madison Grimes: Simply trying on the two of them … you would inform that their relationship was I imply … the whole lot.

Madison Grimes is Alyssa’s youthful sister.

Madison Grimes: Willow clung to her each second, daily. And I believe that tells you numerous concerning the mom Alyssa was.

Alyssa went again to school and received job as an assistant property supervisor.

Madison Grimes: I believe the whole lot she did at that time in her life was for Willow. She wished to achieve success for Willow. She did not need Willow to develop up and wrestle. She simply wished Willow to have a straightforward life.

Beard, who had joint custody, had Willow a number of days each week. However he stored pushing for major custody, dragging Alyssa out and in of courtroom hearings — emptying her checking account.

Madison Grimes: She was terrified. … Willow at this level was crucial factor in her life. And when she … seemed on the greater image … Andrew, he made extra money than her … he had a home, he had the entire good issues that she did not have. … So she was afraid that … he wished Willow and he was gonna get her.

Beard’s mom, Lizette Bowers, says her son was performing out of affection, not malice.

Lizette Bowers: My son Andrew Beard is a loving, heat particular person who all the time operated from his coronary heart, from his core middle. … When he had Willow, she was continually strapped to the entrance of him. He was studying to her … He wished her to see the entire world, daily.

Lizette Bowers: He simply felt that he may present her extra stability.

In March 2020 when Willow was 8 months outdated, issues appeared to alter for the higher. The feuding mother and father discovered widespread floor, lastly reaching an settlement on visitation and youngster assist.

Peter Van Sant: And so issues appeared to settle down?

Madison Grimes: Issues, settle down. Yeah.

However a gathering storm was about to come back barreling in.

“SHE WAS GENUINELY SCARED”

Within the spring of 2020, it seemed just like the bitter custody battle between Alyssa and Beard had lastly come to an finish. Alyssa had a brand new man named Ben. And Beard fell onerous for a girl named Holly Elkins, somebody his mother was thrilled about.

Lizette Bowers: I adored her from minute one. She simply has this appeal and power … I warmed to her in a short time.

Teresa Collard: Alyssa was pleased that he began courting another person.

Madison Grimes: I assume, hopeful that Holly would assist this case, that Holly can be supportive of the mom that is concerned.

Elkins despatched this textual content to Alyssa: “… sit up for having a brilliant wholesome relationship with you and Ben!” Alyssa responded, “… I hope your affect helps as a result of I would love nothing extra for us all to have a wholesome relationship …“

Regardless of Elkins’ message, Beard all of the sudden turned hostile with Alyssa. He was as soon as once more demanding major custody of Willow, dragging Alyssa again into courtroom.

Teresa Collard: He was all the time very brief, very impolite, very hateful. … it simply completely modified … the best way that they communicated collectively.

Alyssa could not shake this uneasy feeling that she was being watched and commenced telling household and pals that Beard all the time appeared to know what she was doing.

Teresa Collard: He knew the place she was. He knew the place Willow was. He knew … simply different locations that she had been.

Shelbie Wright: I keep in mind one night time she was out with one among her pals and, they had been at a bar in downtown Dallas. … And she or he’s like, texted me, “oh my gosh, Andrew is right here.” And in my thoughts, I am like … the chances of that taking place — are slim to none … she did not understand how he was monitoring her she simply knew that she was being tracked.

Peter Van Sant: How would you describe what she went by way of?

Teresa Collard: Hell … I imply, daily you’re feeling such as you’re having to observe over your shoulder. … that is how I felt she lived …

Grimes discovered a video after Alyssa’s demise. It was by no means posted.

ALYSSA BURKETT (video): Hello everybody, my title’s Alyssa. So this previous yr, I’ve been going by way of a custody battle. A really ugly one. I’ve a 1-year-old youngster. It is taken a toll on my psychological and bodily well being. … With that being stated, I’ve turn out to be loads stronger within the course of. … And I assume simply my message is it doesn’t matter what you are going by way of, stick it out. You are able to do it. And keep sturdy.

However Alyssa would proceed to be examined. In September 2020, one month earlier than her homicide, it reached a complete new stage. A person, who stated his title was Frank Marrow, referred to as 911 and reported that Alyssa was promoting medicine out of the trunk of her automobile at work.

CALLER: I noticed … what I believed seemed like somebody simply promoting some medicine out of … their trunk. And I may odor it and I may see it.

911 DISPATCHER OK, what sort of car is it?

CALLER: …it is a bit of Toyota Corolla … I’ve a license plate if that helps.

911 DISPATCHER: OK, Frank. …what was your final title?

CALLER: Marrow.

Performing on this tip, Carrollton Cops descended on the Greentree Flats leasing workplace and confronted Alyssa. She gave them the keys to her automobile, they usually opened the trunk. Inside, they found medicine, a pistol, and a few money precisely the place the caller stated they’d be.

Peter Van Sant: So your daughter all of the sudden now appears to be like like a drug vendor, and a harmful one as properly. She’s armed.

Teresa Collard: Sure.

Peter Van Sant: I imply, is Alyssa … apprehensive that she’s gonna get arrested? Lose her job?

Teresa Collard: Sure. The entire above. She’s apprehensive about her job. She thinks, yeah, she’s gonna be arrested. Now, he is gonna use this in courtroom. So she’s for certain gonna lose Willow.

After questioning Alyssa, it was clear to police that she knew nothing concerning the medicine and pistol within the trunk of her automobile. They concluded these objects had been planted. The caller had tried to border her. Alyssa knew in her intestine that caller was Andrew Beard. Later that day, she texted her roommate Shelbie.

Shelbie Wright: Alyssa messaged me and stated … “he’s going to attempt to get somebody to kill me subsequent.”

Peter Van Sant: And once you learn these phrases?

Shelbie Wright: My coronary heart dropped.

Brandi Reagan: That wasn’t who she was. She wasn’t a fearful individual. … displaying and asking for assist exhibits me that she was genuinely scared.

Shelbie Wright: She knew that, , no matter was coming subsequent was going to be severe.

The as soon as fearless younger lady had turn out to be scared for her life. These are a number of the texts she despatched to her sister Madison:

“Come over whereas I stroll inside”

“Lock the door behind you”

“Do you see anybody round you”

And Alyssa wasn’t the one one who was terrified.

Madison Grimes: … it stored progressing. Every factor that he would do exactly stored getting worse. And after this level framing her and she or he did not get arrested, I believed, properly, what else is there to do apart from kill her?

ZEROING IN ON ANDREW BEARD

One month after the medicine and gun had been planted in Alyssa Burkett’s automobile, she was lifeless.

TERESA COLLARD (police bodycam video): I knew that it was him when — when the medicine did not work within the automobile for him to get the newborn …

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: As soon as we talked to Alyssa’s mother … we had an concept who we had been in search of.

Peter Van Sant: And who’s that individual?

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: That individual was Andrew Beard.

And to Collard’s horror, he had visitation with Willow that day. The infant was with him.

TERESA COLLARD (police bodycam video): … sure — I would like my grandbaby away from him.

Madison Grimes: My first ideas had been … he is gonna kill Willow.

Inside hours of the homicide, the police pulled over Beard’s F-150 pickup truck for an alleged visitors violation. Beard and his fiancée, Holly Elkins, had been requested to get out the car.

OFFICER (bodycam video): The daughter is within the automobile seat within the again seat.

OFFICER (bodycam video): They have been fairly cooperative.

Beard appeared unfazed by the entire thing, says Harding.

Sgt. Michael Harding: He was very calm. … he wasn’t amped up … he — he did not appear nervous.

OFFICER 2 (bodycam video): My half was to only discover you. That is all they requested me to do.

Finally Beard and Elkins had been allowed to go, and since he had courtroom mandated visitation rights, take Willow with them. However the police seized his F-150 pickup and instructed him to not return residence. Beard, Elkins, and Willow went to a resort. That night time, a search of Beard’s home turned up essential proof, reminiscent of an envelope scribbled with incriminating notes.

Sgt. Michael Harding: Upon studying the notes, we realized these had been tied to — the Frank Marrow 911 name.

Frank Marrow — that caller who had reported Alyssa was promoting medicine out of her automobile.

Sgt. Michael Harding: Alyssa’s license plate quantity, the colour, and mannequin of the car … Frank Marrow … the whole lot that he wanted to make that 911 name was on this again of this envelope.

Peter Van Sant: It is such as you found the screenplay to this — phony name to 911.

Sgt. Michael Harding: Sure.

Sgt. Michael Harding: I used to be type of shocked. I used to be like, he — he stored this?

Additionally in plain view, says Jeremy Chevallier, one other lead detective, charging stations and batteries that matched the monitoring gadget detectives found on Alyssa’s automobile after the homicide.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: That was all a part of his plan to — to catch her doing one thing that he believed that she — should not be doing. … to realize a bonus in that … youngster custody dispute.

A search of that F-150 seized on the visitors cease turned up extra jaw-dropping proof.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier (holding a vial): So that is — one of many make-up vials that had been recovered from inside one of many luggage within the F-150.

It was a basis referred to as Java.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: It is actually darkish. Very darkish.

Peter Van Sant: And the aim of that was what do you imagine?

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: Was to … disguise Andrew Beard’s face, to make him appear to be an African American. 

The police discovered the knife sheath on the scene however by no means discovered the knife or the gun. However the day after the murder they discovered one thing simply as vital: that black SUV. They realized Beard had purchased it particularly to commit the homicide. And there it was — deserted lower than a mile from Beard’s home.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: … he drove it to that location, and he fled again to his home the … the morning of the homicide.

Beard is captured on a house safety digital camera fleeing by way of the neighborhood.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: He’s — doing the bigfoot run from this car.

Peter Van Sant: What’d you discover once you guys processed the within of this car?

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: We had been capable of get better a number of spots the place blood was recovered. that was later examined to be Alyssa’s blood.

In addition they discovered one other a part of his disguise: a pretend beard.

Peter Van Sant: That appears like a Halloween type of beard.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: Precisely, he — had bought a Halloween costume.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: So, that is what led us to get the arrest warrant for Andrew Beard.

Beard, who nonetheless had Willow, had been staying in an Airbnb along with his fiancée, Holly Elkins, and his mom, Lizette Bowers.

Lizette Bowers: After we had been on the Airbnb, he received a name … he was going to be arrested …

Simply three days after Alyssa was killed, Willow was despatched again to Collard and Beard turned himself in to the police. He was charged with homicide.

Lizette Bowers: I used to be assured … that they had the incorrect man.

So was Holly Elkins. She volunteered to talk to the police — incredulous that the person she deliberate to marry was able to homicide.

HOLLY ANN ELKINS (police interview): So I simply informed all my family and friends that I am engaged to essentially the most great man on the planet.

DET. CHEVALLIER: Yeah.

HOLLY ANN ELKINS: And now folks need me to imagine that he is not that.

DET. CHEVALLIER: There — and there are such a lot of emotional roadblocks so that you can attempt to imagine that. I get that.

HOLLY ANN ELKINS: I am unable to imagine that my fiancé would do one thing like that to a girl or to anyone, however a girl.

Chevallier and Harding interviewed Elkins for about an hour, hoping to show her right into a witness for the prosecution.

DET. CHEVALLIER: I am telling you there’s a facet of him you have no idea.

However Elkins stood by Beard, insisting that he had an alibi: he was residence together with her when the homicide passed off.

DET. CHEVALLIER: There are a number of hours that he was not in that home.

HOLLY ANN ELKINS: You can’t inform me that I really feel that manner, sir.

DET. CHEVALLIER: I can — I can inform you that as a result of I do know that for a incontrovertible fact that he was out of the home, Holly.

HOLLY ANN ELKINS: I do not know that for a reality.

Elkins remained adamant that she would have identified if he had left.

HOLLY ANN ELKINS: I’m a complete stage 5 clinger girlfriend. I am all the time up his ass. I discover it onerous to imagine …

The interview ended with Elkins standing by her man. She and Beard’s mother continued dwelling collectively in an Airbnb. They turned extraordinarily shut and bonded over their shared perception that Beard was harmless, says Bowers.

Lizette Bowers: We stayed so shut. We had been simply linked on the hip and made agreements to by no means go anyplace with out each other.

Lastly, after two weeks behind bars, Beard was launched on bond. Bowers was overjoyed. Elkins, as Bowers would quickly uncover, not a lot.

Lizette Bowers: They’ve informed us he is coming residence tomorrow. And Holly says … “I am going.” … She’s holding her suitcase and — and she or he goes … “I am leaving … I am going residence” … However the day earlier than Andrew will get residence? What — why are you selecting now? … throughout this scary, scary time … for — in his life. … She’d already ordered … her — her Uber and by no means got here again.

Chevallier says he was so apprehensive about Willow’s security he reached out to the federal authorities to take the case underneath federal firearm legal guidelines. As a result of an unregistered silencer was present in Beard’s residence, the feds agreed. Beard was rearrested eight days after he bonded out.  

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: Finally, at that time, our objective was to get him again into custody.

Beard was in the end charged with cyberstalking utilizing a harmful weapon leading to demise. One yr and eight months after Alyssa’s homicide, Beard referred to as his mom with unimaginable information.

Lizette Bowers: He stated, , mother, I am – “I’ll plead responsible.” … So, I instantly stated, “properly, Andrew, you are not going to — you are not going to plead responsible to something you did not do.” … As a result of clearly, he did not homicide her in my thoughts as a result of that is out of character and never who he’s. And it was stupidly finished and he is not silly. So it by no means was him.

However she would study it was him. He admitted he did it. He killed the mom of his youngster.

Lizette Bowers: I’ve bodily dropped to my knees, generally feeling like I’ve gotten punched within the abdomen. And I’ve to inform myself — I’ve to inform myself that that was, um, a second, a heinous, terrible out-of-character damaged second.

Beard pleaded responsible.

However the investigation wasn’t over.

Beard was speaking and he had loads to say.

HOLLY ELKINS’ GAME OF CAT AND MOUSE

Holly Elkins left Texas and returned to her residence state of Michigan two-and-a-half weeks after the homicide of Alyssa Burkett. She gave no trace of what she’d left behind says her finest good friend from childhood, Stephanie Goddard.

Peter Van Sant: Did she ever point out the title Alyssa Burkett to you?

Stephanie Goddard: By no means.

Peter Van Sant: By no means.

Stephanie Goddard: By no means. By no means.

Peter Van Sant: Not as soon as. She did not discuss Andrew Beard both?

Stephanie Goddard: Not even as soon as, nope.

Goddard, who met up with Elkins about seven months after she returned to Michigan, says her outdated good friend seemed to be beginning life anew. She had a brand new rental, a brand new Lexus, and a brand new man.

Stephanie Goddard: She had this boyfriend together with her. So, the whole lot simply appeared actually regular.

Goddard says, from the time she was a teen, Elkins all the time had a man and she or he knew how one can wrap them round her little finger.

Stephanie Goddard: it was like a cat-and-mouse factor.

Peter Van Sant: If you say cat and mouse, she was the cat?

Stephanie Goddard: Oh, completely (laughs). Sure, she was the cat.

Peter Van Sant: She managed the connection.

Stephanie Goddard: Completely. She was the one within the driver’s seat.

Again in Texas, investigators had been simply starting to study extra concerning the fiancée who had skipped city after the homicide. One yr and 9 months after Alyssa was killed, Beard spoke to the FBI as a part of a plea deal.

ANDREW BEARD (FBI interview):  I am assuming, completely, it does look deliberate out, ‘trigger it was. The method was deliberate out.

It shortly turned clear to investigators that this Holly Elkins — “I am attempting to assist and nobody’s serving to me” — the Holly Elkins seemingly torn aside by Alyssa’s demise was giving the efficiency of her life.

HOLLY ANN ELKINS (police interview): I simply really feel unhealthy, . (crying) I simply really feel unhealthy to not assist one thing that I believe could be very unhappy that occurred.

DET. CHAVALLIER: Mm-hmm.

HOLLY ANN ELKINS: I’ve actually cried myself to nauseam each single night time over this.

Peter Van Sant: What did you study … about her true emotions about Alyssa?

Sgt. Michael Harding: She hated Alyssa with a — with a burning ardour.

Investigators dug again into Beard and Elkins’ textual content messages, a lot of which Alyssa’s household additionally noticed.

Peter Van Sant: Each of you realized that Holly had, um, some derogatory phrases about Alyssa. … What did she name her?

Madison Grimes:  Ugly, fats, a nasty mother, all issues that she wasn’t. And … C*** Child Mama … is — was my sister’s contact title in Holly’s telephone.

Peter Van Sant: What the heck’s all that?

Madison Grimes: Jealousy.

Elkins wished one thing Alyssa had and she or he did not, says Grimes.

Madison Grimes: She wished Willow.

Peter Van Sant: Why was she so obsessive about Willow?

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: That was her life. … she wished a … an ideal household and that was her manner of getting it  … Alyssa was gonna stand in her manner of doing that.

The extra Beard talked the clearer Elkins’ function turned says Chevallier.

Peter Van Sant: What portrait did he paint of Holly Elkins?

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: That she was the one working the present, uh, that she was telling him what he was gonna do, when he was gonna do it, how he was gonna do it.

Keep in mind that drug plant?

ANDREW BEARD (FBI interview): Should you had been to ask me whose concept was what, medicine and — and — the planting of medication was — was Elkins.

Elkins even tried to get Alyssa’s mother Teresa Collard arrested. The incident began when Collard and Alyssa drove by Elkins and Beard’s residence. Collard says Elkins and Beard had didn’t return Willow on the appointed time.

Teresa Collard: We see Holly on the golf cart with Willow in her lap coming in direction of the top of their driveway. … I received out of the automobile … and I grabbed Willow, went, and received again within the automobile, handed Willow to Alyssa, and sped off

Elkins instantly referred to as the police who arrived with bodycams rolling. Elkins informed them Collard assaulted her when she grabbed Willow from her lap.

HOLLY ELKINS (police bodycam video): She actually attacked me from behind or from behind facet. I used to be going through the lake.

Collard says she by no means touched Elkins. However Elkins pulled up her shirt to indicate cops scratches she claimed Teresa had inflicted.

HOLLY ELKINS (police bodycam video): OK I’ve a, uh, on my abdomen too.

OFFICER 2: No, no, no. Oh, you could have some in your — in your abdomen?

Peter Van Sant: What did you consider these photos?

Teresa Collard: That they had been ridiculous … that it was so obvious that she had finished that to herself?

Madison Grimes: How would they even suppose another person did that to her? As a result of they are going downwards, like your individual hand did it.

The police agreed, concluding the accidents seemed like they had been self-inflicted. However it solely made issues extra harmful for Alyssa, says Chevallier.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: The issues that they had been doing to attempt to get custody of Willow wasn’t working at that time. And I believe that they determined … we — we gotta up the sport and, uh, up within the sport meant eliminating — of Alyssa.

Elkins started enjoying her sport of cat and mouse.

ANDREW BEARD (FBI interview): It was made very clear to me that your earlier strategies aren’t working, that is what you are gonna do now so as to show that, um — that — that — that you just’re — principally you are worthy.

Worthy of being a person who deserved her love.

Peter Van Sant: Holly Elkins writes to Andrew, “I do not need anybody who’s a pussy to some low life or a pushover. I desire a man who protects his girls and youngster earlier than anybody and does not give two Fs in any other case” … Your remark?

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: Simply simple manipulation. … she was gonna make him do what she felt wanted to be finished it doesn’t matter what.

And Beard informed investigators it labored.

ANDREW BEARD (FBI interview) Like, I used to be emotionally drained. And at that time, I simply principally stated, OK, and have become submissive to no matter she wished me to do, that is the duty I did.

Per week-and-a-half earlier than the homicide, Elkins left for Mexico, however did not let up on Beard.

Peter Van Sant: This is a textual content. That is one week earlier than the murders. This .s September twenty fifth, 2020. … Holly Elkins writes, “I hope you deal with it. I am not coming residence to BS.” Andrew Beard says, “that is my objective.”

To that, Elkins texted again.

Peter Van Sant (studying textual content): “Properly, it is going to be a complete totally different dialog if I really feel like you might be trip or die. If not, then I do not know.” What’s she saying to him?

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: … to me it means you are both with me otherwise you’re not with me. Uh, you are both gonna trip with me and die with me … otherwise you’re not gonna be with me in any respect.

After he killed Alyssa, Beard informed investigators Elkins begged for particulars concerning the crime.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: … her request was that he described, uh, the homicide to her whereas they had been in mattress collectively.

Sgt. Michael Harding: It is some of the degrading issues I’ve ever heard.

In Could 2023, Beard was sentenced to 43 years in federal jail. Investigators imagine Elkins thought the case was over.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: I believe she believed that the additional she received away from this, the much less concerned she was gonna be, however it did not work out for her.

THE FBI BUILDS COMPELLING CASE AGAINST HOLLY ELKINS

In July 2023, nearly three years after Alyssa’s demise, Holly Elkins was arrested by federal brokers on the Miami Airport as she was coming back from a visit to the Dominican Republic. An arrest a very long time coming for Alyssa’s household.

Madison Grimes: I believed — we had been by no means gonna see that occur. … I felt reduction.

Elkins, who pleaded not responsible, was charged with conspiracy to stalk and stalking utilizing a harmful weapon leading to demise. The FBI had constructed a compelling case in opposition to her, says Chevallier.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: Holly’s telephone actually had plenty of stuff on it. … trying to find monitoring units … there have been indications that they had been collectively, every time the ammunition … and the knife had been bought.

They usually additionally tied Elkins to the make-up Beard used to disguise himself as a Black man. 

ANDREW BEARD (FBI interview): It was, um, you are going to gown — gown up as a — as a, uh, totally different individual, primarily. You are gonna put on this darkish make-up. … That was her plan …  that was the way it’s gonna be finished.

Whereas Beard appears innocent whereas being questioned, always remember that he was the one who chased Alyssa down like a hunter monitoring a wounded animal. He furiously stabbed her with a brutality these detectives had by no means seen.

Peter Van Sant: Andrew finally ends up saying about why he got here again to complete her. What did he say?

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: His assertion to us in the course of the interview with Agent Hanson was that he did it out of mercy, that he knew that she was nonetheless alive, and he was someway doing her a favor … by — by killing her.

Beard could have dedicated the homicide alone, however based on the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace, he did not plan it alone. In April 2024, Holly Elkins went on trial as a co-conspirator. Within the courtroom the place no cameras had been permitted, one of many prosecutors put it like this, says Harding:  “Andrew Beard is a monster, however he was Holly Elkins’ monster.”

HOLLY ELKINS (police interview): I do not need or want a lawyer as a result of I haven’t got something to cover …

U.S. attorneys painted an image of a girl who would cease at nothing to get what she wished.

HOLLY ANN ELKINS (police interview): Will I really feel just like the dumbest, most manipulated lady on the whole planet if that is true? Sure.

And what she wished was a bit of woman named Willow.

Peter Van Sant: And do you imagine Holly Elkins was a puppet grasp in all of this?

Sgt. Michael Harding: 100% I do … she orchestrated this entire factor.

Lizette Bowers: I believe Holly is depraved. I believe she’s depraved to the core, that she would ever need this to occur to a different lady, to a mom, to a mom of the kid that she had come to like.

Peter Van Sant: What if these two had by no means come collectively, Holly and Andrew. Would Andrew have dedicated this homicide?

Sgt. Michael Harding: I do not suppose they’d have. I 100% imagine that if Holly and Andrew had by no means met that Alyssa Burkett can be alive at this time.

After a one-week trial, the case went to the jury.

Peter Van Sant: The jury takes simply 90 minutes to deliberate. After they come again to that courtroom, what’s the verdict?

Sgt. Michael Harding:  Responsible.

Det. Jeremy Chevallier: Responsible.

Elkins was found guilty and sentenced to 2 life phrases — for much longer than Beard.

For Alyssa’s household, the decision was a bittersweet victory.

Madison Grimes: I used to be thrilled, however heartbroken on the identical time as a result of — I am so pleased that, , Alyssa’s getting the justice she deserved, however at that time it is over … our battle is over.

Two households are left to grapple with the wreckage Elkins and Beard left behind. Lizette Bowers will ceaselessly be referred to as the mom of a assassin.

Lizette Bowers: He killed somebody. And that’s past terrible. … It is the worst factor anybody can do. However that is not who I like.

And Collard and Grimes should attempt to make sense of a world with out Alyssa in it.

Madison Grimes: We do not get to dwell the conventional life anymore. … It was all the time me and her … my finest good friend, like … that was my individual, and solely attending to be together with her for 20 years, that is not — simply not truthful.

After the trial, Collard was allowed to take Alyssa’s issues out of her automobile.

Teresa Collard: It was fairly emotional for all of us really … this was the mirror that she used so she may see Willow from the motive force’s seat … , simply figuring out that was the final place she was sitting when it occurred.

Willow, who was with Collard, had by no means cried over her mom till that day.

Teresa Collard: She was crying, asking me if I may please carry her mother again simply so she may see her yet another time. … And I attempted to clarify to her that she’s in heaven …  After which, she requested me if she had a telephone quantity. … in heaven.

In the future, Willow will study the entire story of what occurred to her mom.

And when that point comes, her household hopes Willow will see the sweetness in Alyssa’s life, not the tragedy of her demise.

Teresa Collard: I hope that at some point she grows up … and she or he feels the love that her mother sincerely had for her.

Teresa Collard is within the technique of adopting Willow.

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Produced by Liza Finley and Gabriella Demirdjian Gregory M. McLaughlin is the producer-editor. Diana Modica and Wini Dini are the editors. David Dow and Sara Ely Hulse are the event Producers. Megan Kelly Brown is the affiliate producer. Peter Schweitzer is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the chief story editor. Judy Tygard is the chief producer.