A woman from Texas has been handed two life sentences for her involvement in the horrific murder of her fiance’s former girlfriend in 2020. Holly Ann Elkins, aged 33, was found guilty in April for her participation in the murder of Alyssa Burkett, 24. The crime was executed by Elkins’ then-fiance, Andrew Beard, 37, who was disguised as a Black man, wearing dark makeup and a black rain suit.
The U.S. Attorney’s office made public Elkins’ sentencing on Thursday. She was convicted of conspiracy to stalk, stalking with a dangerous weapon leading to death, and brandishing a firearm in connection with a violent crime. Beard, who admitted guilt to similar charges, was sentenced in May 2023 to 43 years in federal prison.
The U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton detailed the persistent harassment of Burkett by Elkins and Beard. The duo subjected Burkett to verbal abuse, lodged false police reports against her, and planted illegal items in her vehicle. When these strategies didn’t work, they conspired to murder her.
The chain of events leading to Burkett’s murder started when Elkins and Beard began dating in April 2020. Elkins, who envisioned a life with Beard and a mother-daughter bond with his child, consistently tried to discredit Burkett’s parenting abilities. When this didn’t work, Elkins persuaded Beard to take Burkett’s life.
Elkins and Beard initiated a harassment campaign against Burkett in the summer of 2020, shortly after Elkins moved into Beard’s house. They installed a GPS tracker on Burkett’s car, made false emergency calls, and even employed a private investigator to collect information on Burkett and her new partner. They also planted drugs and a firearm in Burkett’s car, falsely accusing her of drug dealing.
Elkins was directly involved in planning the murder and setting up Beard’s alibi. They bought the vehicle used in the attack and the makeup for Beard’s disguise. They also purchased shotgun shells and a knife. A week before the murder, Elkins texted Beard, encouraging him to carry out the act.
On the day of the murder, Beard, disguised with dark makeup, shot Burkett in the head in her workplace parking lot and stabbed her 44 times. Burkett was discovered by her colleagues, covered in blood and struggling to breathe. She died at the scene.
Elkins, who was at Beard’s house with Burkett’s child at the time of the murder, later told investigators that Beard was at home when the murder took place. However, authorities discovered evidence linking Beard to the crime, including the vehicle used in the attack, makeup, and a fake beard containing Beard’s DNA. Blood found in the vehicle matched Burkett’s DNA.
Burkett was remembered as a loving mother with a promising future. Her friends and family deeply mourn her loss.