When Alyssa Burkett arrived at her workplace in Texas one morning in the fall of 2020, the 24-year-old mother-of-one had no idea a deadly plan had been launched against her.
On the morning of Oct. 2 of that year, Burkett pulled into the parking lot of Greentree Apartments in Carrollton, where she worked as an assistant office manager, just before tragedy struck.
New “20/20” Episodes, “ride or die,”oneThe case is explored on Wednesday, December 17 at 10pm ET on ABC and the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.
You can also get more behind-the-scenes looks at each week’s episodes by listening to “20/20: The After Show,” a weekly series hosted by “20/20” co-host Deborah Roberts every Monday on the 20/20 Podcast Feed.
Teresa Collard – Photo: Alyssa Burkett, 24, mother of one-year-old Willow.
According to authorities, a black Ford Explorer pulled up next to her and the driver, who was wearing dark clothing, shot her through the window. Burkett miraculously escaped from the car, but when she tried to escape into the office, the attacker stabbed her 44 times.
Carrollton Police Detective Jeremy Chevallier responded to the crime and told 20/20 the scene was extremely disturbing.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for 33 years,” he said. “When I arrived, it was the most brutal scene I think I’ve ever been in.”
Due to the violent nature of the crime, investigators believe it may have been a crime of passion.
Lizette Powers – Photo: Andrew Beard (right) poses with his mother. Beard is the father of Alyssa’s daughter.
Burkett was locked in a custody battle with Andrew Beard over their 1-year-old daughter, Willow. Investigators said Beard, who is 10 years older than Burkett, was a power tool salesman and he first met her online.
The day after the killing, police were searching a neighborhood near Beard’s home when they noticed a vehicle consistent with the one driven by Burkett’s attacker. After searching the car, officials said they found a hole drilled into the side of the vehicle, possibly for a gun muzzle, along with dark makeup and a fake mustache.
Beard soon turned himself in to the Carrollton Police Department, where he eventually faced federal charges and pleaded guilty to cyberstalking, use of a dangerous weapon causing death and firing a weapon that killed Burkett. In May 2023, he was sentenced to 43 years in prison.
Lizette Powers – Photo: Andrew Beard (left) poses with his new girlfriends Holly Elkins and little Willow (right).
However, Beard claimed to authorities that his fiancée, Holly Elkins, whom he started dating in 2020, was actually the one who planned Burkett’s murder.
Beard revealed to authorities text messages between him and Elkins in which Elkins said “I need to know you’re my ride or die” and “I’m not going home unless I know you did this.”
In July 2023, investigators believed they had gathered enough evidence to charge Elkins. Police arrested her at the Miami airport when she returned from a trip to the Dominican Republic.
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At trial, Elkins pleaded not guilty and argued she did not commit the crime or install the tracker authorities alleged was on Burkett’s car. Her lawyer also denied she was the “mastermind” behind the murder.
She was convicted of conspiracy to stalk, stalking with a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm in connection with a violent crime and received two consecutive life sentences.
In December 2025, Elkins overturned her conviction on the firearms charge on appeal, reducing her sentence to life without parole.
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In an exclusive interview with 20/20, Beard said his biggest regret was failing his daughter.
“My message to my daughter is simple: Willow, my sweet little girl. You instantly became our world. I’m so sorry to disappoint you, my love,” he said. “Maybe one day you can forgive me… I love you with all my heart. I do.”
Beard has not seen or had any contact with his daughter since her arrest. Burkett’s mother, Theresa Collard, who adopted Willow, told 20/20 she reminded her of her late daughter.
“They were literally identical. I mean, even the way Willow walked… Willow turned around and walked away and I saw Alyssa walk away,” Collard said.
