The Plot to Kill Alyssa Burkett

Summary

---

48 Hours Podcast – "The Plot to Kill Alyssa Burkett"

Host: CBS News
Air Date: June 8, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This episode of "48 Hours" delves into the shocking and tragic murder of Alyssa Burkett, a young mother caught in a bitter custody battle in Texas. Through detailed investigation, interviews, and courtroom drama, the episode examines not only the brutal circumstances surrounding Alyssa's death, but also the manipulative web woven by Andrew Beard—her daughter's father—and his fiancée, Holly Elkins. The narrative uncovers a chilling escalation: from custody disputes to staged crimes and ultimately, a meticulously planned and executed murder.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Aftermath of Loss

• Opening Emotion: The episode starts with Alyssa’s mother, Teresa Collard, expressing the magnitude of what was lost, centering Alyssa's role as mother to Willow.

  • “My daughter Willow's mother. Everything.” (Teresa Collard, 00:47)

• Keeping Alyssa's Memory Alive: Teresa describes her commitment to sharing Alyssa's memory with Willow through stories and grave visits.

2. The Crime Scene: Brutality & Shock

• Timeline & Witness Accounts:

  • Alyssa was ambushed while pulling into her workplace parking lot (Carrollton, Texas). Beard shot through her windshield and, believing Alyssa still alive, pursued and stabbed her 44 times.
    • “It was one of the most brutal scenes that I'd been to in 32 years. ... You could see the rage.” (Detective Chevalier, 02:58)
  • Despite eyewitness reports the assailant appeared to be a Black man, suspicions immediately turned to Andrew Beard, Alyssa’s ex.

• Immediate Reaction & Grief:

  • Alyssa's family and friends immediately suspected Beard.
    • “I knew immediately it was Andrew Beard.” (Madison Grimes, 02:34)

3. Custody Battle and Threats

• A Relationship Unravelled:

  • Alyssa and Andrew's relationship was brief; their child, Willow, became the center of a contentious, drawn-out fight.
  • Andrew was older, established (“had a plane”), while Alyssa was just starting her life and career.

• Escalating Fear:

  • Alyssa began to feel watched. She told friends Andrew seemed to know her every move. Her fears intensified after near-encounters and unexplained awareness.
    • “He knew where she was, he knew where Willow was.” (Teresa Collard, 15:16)
  • Alyssa was not, by nature, fearful—her anxiety marked a significant change.

4. The Drug Planting Incident

• Attempted Frame-Up:
  • A month prior to the murder, someone named "Frank Morrow" anonymously called police to falsely tip them off about drugs in Alyssa’s car. Drugs, a gun, and cash were found—but police quickly concluded they were planted.
  • The family’s reaction: “He is going to try to get someone to kill me next.” (Alyssa’s text to Shelby Wright, 18:06)

5. The Murder Investigation: Evidence Mounts

• Physical & Digital Evidence:

  • Detective Harding details finding incriminating notes in Beard's home outlining the fake 911 plot and documentation regarding Alyssa.
    • “Upon reading the notes, we realized those were tied to The Frank Morrow 911 call.” (Detective Harding, 21:14)
  • A GPS tracker was found that matched the one placed on Alyssa's car.
  • Police recovered makeup used by Beard to disguise himself as a Black man, as well as a fake beard and evidence of purchased costumes.

• Arrests & Interrogations:

  • Andrew Beard is initially calm, allowed to keep Willow due to custody rights, but subsequently gets arrested.
  • Despite clear evidence, Beard’s mother and fiancée maintained his innocence until his own confession.
    • “I can't believe that my fiancé would do something like that to a woman or to anybody.” (Holly Elkins, 24:39)

6. The Role of Holly Elkins

• Manipulation and Co-Conspiracy:

  • Investigation of text messages and testimony reveals Holly’s intense hatred for Alyssa and obsession with custody of Willow.
    • “She wanted Willow.” (Madison Grimes, 32:08)
  • Holly’s digital footprint showed obsession with Alyssa, and she actively coached Beard in his actions.
    • “She was the one running the show. ... telling him what he was going to do, when he was going to do it.” (Detective Chevalier, 32:34)

• Psychological Pressure:

  • Texts highlight Holly pressuring Andrew to "handle" the Alyssa situation.
    • “I hope you handle it. I'm not coming home to BS.” (Holly to Andrew, 35:35)
  • After the crime, she demanded to hear details of the murder as they lay in bed.

7. The Legal Resolution

• Sentencing and Trials:

  • Andrew Beard pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 43 years.
  • Holly Elkins, convinced she was escaping scrutiny, was arrested in 2023 and faced a high-stakes trial.
  • She was ultimately convicted and sentenced to two life terms, with the jury needing only 90 minutes to decide.
    • “Guilty.” (Detective Chevalier on jury verdict, 41:12)

• Family Reactions:

  • Both families are left shattered. Alyssa’s sister describes a bittersweet relief at the end of the fight for justice.
    • “I'm so happy that Alyssa's getting the justice she deserved. But at that point, it's over. Our fight is over.” (Madison Grimes, 41:28)

• Aftermath and Healing:

  • Teresa struggles to explain Alyssa’s death to Willow, who heartbreakingly asks if her mother has a phone in heaven.

    • “She was crying, asking me if I could please bring her mom back just so she could see her one more time.” (Teresa Collard, 42:59)

  • The family hopes Willow will one day remember her mother's love over the horror of her death.

    • “I hope that one day she grows up and she feels the love that her mom, sincerely had for her.” (Teresa Collard, 43:36)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Impact of Loss

  • “What was lost when Alyssa was taken?...My daughter Willow's mother. Everything.” (Teresa Collard, 00:47)

• On the Aftermath of Crime:

  • “It was one of the most brutal scenes that I'd been to in 32 years.” (Detective Chevalier, 02:58)
  • “It's personal.” (Detective Chevalier, 03:13)

• Alyssa's Strength:

  • “This past year, I have been going through a custody battle...but I've become a lot stronger in the process...Stay strong.” (Alyssa, video recording, 15:52)

• Detective’s Sad Realization:

  • “Andrew Beard is a monster, but he was Holly Elkins' monster.” (Detective Harding, 39:55)

• The Role of Manipulation:

  • “She was going to make him do what she felt needed to be done no matter what.” (Detective Chevalier, 35:08)
  • “That was her way of getting it: Alyssa was going to stand in her way.” (Detective Chevalier, 32:12)

• Bittersweet Justice:

  • “I'm so happy that Alyssa's getting the justice she deserved. But at that point, it's over. Our fight is over.” (Madison Grimes, 41:28)

• Willow’s Innocence:

  • “She was crying, asking me if I could please bring her mom back...And then she asked me if she had a phone number in heaven.” (Teresa Collard, 42:59)

---

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:40–03:35: Family's immediate reaction, crime scene discovery, and identification of Andrew Beard as a suspect.
• 05:00–07:45: Forensic details and Alyssa's final moments.
• 08:46–11:19: Background of Alyssa’s relationship with Andrew, their custody war, and family context.
• 14:14–15:41: Growing paranoia and evidence of surveillance/tracking.
• 16:24–18:13: The false drug call and its impact on Alyssa’s psyche.
• 21:06–23:00: Discovery of planning evidence, tracking devices, and disguises in Andrew’s belongings.
• 24:17–25:57: Holly defends Andrew, unwavering—even as evidence mounts.
• 29:21–32:12: Investigators unearth Holly’s true attitude, her role as instigator, and digital evidence supporting her involvement.
• 35:35–36:05: Revealing manipulative texts from Holly, showing emotional coercion.
• 39:13–41:16: Trial outcomes, sentencing, and family reactions.
• 42:32–43:36: The final emotional moments for Alyssa’s family and their hopes for Willow.

---

Conclusion

"The Plot to Kill Alyssa Burkett" exposes not just the mechanics of a brutal crime, but also the psychological landscape and relational manipulations that culminated in tragedy. With thorough investigative reporting and raw, firsthand emotional testimony, the episode paints a vivid portrait of loss, justice, and the residual pain left for those trying to move forward.

---

Transcript

[Lemonade Pet Insurance Announcer]

If you're the proud parent of a puppy or kitten, you know you can't pet proof your entire life. There simply isn't a sock drawer high enough or a couch cover thick enough. But you can pet proof your wallet with Lemonade pet insurance. Whether it's an unexpected accident or a routine checkup, Lemonade can cover up to 90% of the bill, plus they can handle claims in as little as two seconds. So before you turn into a complete helicopter pet parent, get a [e-mail] pet.

[Interviewer]

What was lost when Alyssa was taken? What was lost with her murder?

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

My daughter Willow's mother. Everything.

[Interviewer]

How do you keep Alyssa alive for her daughter Willa?

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Show her pictures. This is your mom. This is your mom. Every mother's Day, we visit the grave. We take flowers, we take cards. You know, we talk about her all the time. What does this say? Hello, mother of Willow Ann.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

I hope that when she learns what happened, she doesn't let it tear her apart.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

10-2-20.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Any crime scene is gonna be inside that tape. It's inside that tape. All right?

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

I remember my phone was continuously ringing, ringing. And I finally answer it because it's my supervisor, and she's frantic, and she's telling me, you've got to get to Greentree Apartments.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I heard that pop. I turned around. I knew it was a gunshot.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

And she says, something has happened to Alyssa. What? What happened to her?

[Narrator/Reporter]

We're gonn having family members show up here.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

I pull up police, fire trucks, ambulance, everywhere.

[Narrator/Reporter]

She got shot in the car. Okay? You can see her handprints.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Who are you?

[Detective Harding]

I'm Detective Harding.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

I remember asking that officer. I said, she didn't make it, did she? And he said, no, she didn't. And I just lost it. At that point,

[Interviewer]

when you learned that your sister was dead, did you have a suspect in mind?

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

I knew immediately it was Andrew Beard. I knew that the only person I could think that would want her dead was Andrew Beard.

[Brandi Reagan (Friend of Alyssa)]

She even said, I think he's the kind of person that's gonna try to kill me. And he did. And he did.

[Audience Reaction/Promotional Voice]

Oh, my God.

[Detective Chevalier]

It was one of the most brutal scenes that I'd been to in 32 years. Law enforce. You could see the rage.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Don't touch anything, okay?

[Interviewer]

What does it tell you when it's this vicious about the killer?

[Detective Chevalier]

It's personal.

[Narrator/Reporter]

She apparently has had a history with baby daddy.

[Detective Chevalier]

Within an hour of getting to the crime scene, we knew that we needed to look for Andrew Beard.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Andrew Beard is the suspect?

[Interviewer]

Yes.

[Brandi Reagan (Friend of Alyssa)]

He cannot get away with this, he cannot get away with this.

[Detective Chevalier]

At first, this seemed like an open and shut case. But as it turned out, Andrew Beard was only half the story.

[Narrator/Reporter]

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

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

I see her across the room, and in my dream I knew she was

[Narrator/Reporter]

gone,

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

But I was hysterically happy that I was seeing her. And I was thinking, you're back. She came to me and said, no, I'm not back and I don't want to come back and I never want to be there again. I was puzzled. Why don't you want to come back? And she said, because I was always afraid there.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Although 24 year old Alyssa Burkett had been afraid for months, the attack at this apartment complex where she worked in Carrollton, Texas, north of Dallas, came as a surprise.

[Interviewer]

So when you arrive here, what do you see?

[Narrator/Reporter]

According to one of the lead detectives, Michael Harding, Alyssa pulled into her usual parking space at around 9am Alyssa's car

[Detective Harding]

was actually parked right here where this green van is right here. And the assailant's vehicle had parked right next to her in this spot.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Were you here when everything happened? Yes, I was sitting at my desk. Witnesses say the assailant exited his vehicle, a black Ford Expedition suv, with a gun in his hand.

[Detective Harding]

She had the window up, and he shot right through the windshield, right through the window.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Maintenance supervisor Darren Eichler, about 15ft away. It's horrible. Heard the gun blast and turned around.

[Interviewer]

What do you see?

[Narrator/Reporter]

I see a black SUV starting to back out of the parking spot. Investigators believe the shooter thought Alyssa was dead. The blast had destroyed her left eye and part of her face. But Alyssa Burkett was still alive.

[Detective Harding]

She gets out of her car and she walks up to this landing to try to get help because she knows her. Her co workers are here.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The shooter, described by some as a black man, got out of the vehicle and began sprinting toward Alyssa, this time with a new weapon in his hand, something more personal. A large hunting knife. Did you see him holding the knife?

[Witness/Police Officer]

Yeah.

[Detective Harding]

In the hang after he starts to stab her, she's still fighting on this window right here. There was a blood handprint smear where Alyssa was trying to get anyone to come out and help her.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But fearing it was an active shooter situation, they stayed inside. We were just getting our day started. And the attacker launched into a rabid killing frenzy, plunging his knife into flesh and bone again and again. Incredibly, Alyssa was still breathing when her assailant fled.

[Detective Harding]

Once the suspect left, her co workers came out to try to render aid.

[Narrator/Reporter]

One of her colleagues made this call

[Holly Elkins]

to 911-911- what is the address of the emergency?

[Narrator/Reporter]

Someone came up and just shot my assistant manager. Where is the shooter? I don't have enough information. I need. He's gone.

[Witness/Police Officer]

He left in his car.

[Narrator/Reporter]

He literally left a second ago. Fire department pulled up first. They come up, I get out of the way and let them do their thing.

[Interviewer]

They start working on her right here.

[Detective Chevalier]

You know where she was hit immediately?

[Witness/Police Officer]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And it was too late. She was gone. Alyssa had been stabbed and slashed a total of 44 times. Alyssa's mother, Teresa, immediately gave the police a name. And it wasn't a black man. It was Andrew Beard.

[Brandi Reagan (Friend of Alyssa)]

I know he did this. He's an evil person.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Teresa told detectives that Andrew Beard and Alyssa were in the throes of an ugly custody battle over their one year old daughter, Willow Ann. A battle that began when Alyssa was still pregnant, says her friend Brandi Reagan.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

He initiated by asking her if he could have full custody of the baby after the baby was born.

[Interviewer]

And what did Alyssa have to say to his idea of him getting full custody?

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

You better be effing kidding me.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Alyssa and Andrew were worlds apart from the beginning. He was almost nine years older, established with a good job at a tool company, a nice house, even had a plane. She was 22, loved eating turkey legs at state fairs, and was still figuring life out after meeting on a dating app. They had a fling, nothing serious. But then she found out she was pregnant, says her friend and roommate, Shelby Wright.

[Shelby Wright (Alyssa's Friend and Roommate)]

I'll never forget. She's just standing there hysterically crying and upset. She couldn't even speak. And she hands me a pregnancy test that said positive. And I honestly had no words for her.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But as the pregnancy progressed, Alyssa's fears turned to excitement, says Shelby, especially when she learned it was a girl. On July 23, 2019, Alyssa gave birth to a baby girl she named Willow.

[Interviewer]

And when you saw them together, Alyssa and Willow, what was that experience like?

[Shelby Wright (Alyssa's Friend and Roommate)]

Amazing. Motherhood looked great on her.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Yes.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

Just looking at the two of them, you could tell that their relationship was, I mean, everything. I always love how she's looking at her.

[Narrator/Reporter]

In this picture, Madison Grimes is Alyssa's younger sister.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

Willow clung to her every second, every day. And I think that tells you a lot about the mother Alyssa was.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Alyssa went back to college and got a good job as an assistant property manager.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

I think everything she did at that point in her life was for Willow. She wanted to be successful for Willow. She didn't want Willow to grow up and struggle. She just wanted Willow to have an easy life.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Andrew, who had joint custody, had Willow a few days every week, but he kept pushing for primary custody, dragging Alyssa in and out of court hearings, emptying her bank account.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

She was terrified. Willow at this point was the most important thing in her life. And when she, you know, looked at the bigger picture, Andrew, he made more money than her. You know, he had a house, he had all the nice things that she didn't have. So she was afraid that, you know, he wanted Willow and he was going to get her.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Andrew's mother, Lisette Bowers, says her son was acting out of love, not malice.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

My son, Andrew Beard, is a loving, warm individual who always operated from his heart, from his core center. When he had Willow, she was constantly strapped to the front of him. He was reading to her. He wanted her to see the whole world every day. He just felt that he could provide her more stability.

[Narrator/Reporter]

In March 2020, when Willow was eight months old, things seemed to change for the better. The feuding parents found common ground, finally reaching an agreement on visitation and child support.

[Interviewer]

And so things seemed to calm down.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Things calmed down, yeah.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But a gathering storm was about to come barreling in. Carrollton Police Department Search Warren if you're

[Audience Reaction/Promotional Voice]

in there, come out.

[Weight Loss by Hers Announcer]

Losing weight is one thing, but keeping it off, that's where it gets really frustrating. That's why weight Loss by Hers now offers access to the FDA approved WeGovy pill and the FDA approved WeGovy pen. Wegovy is designed to help you lose weight and keep it off. Everything is 100% online. Through hers, you'll connect with a licensed provider who will determine if treatment is right for you. If prescribed, your medication is delivered right to your door. No insurance necessary. And it doesn't stop there. Weight loss by hers goes beyond medication by offering access to 24. 7 messaging with your care team and tons of in app lifestyle and nutrition tips like recipes, meal plans, fitness videos, sleep content and more. Ready to reach your goals? Visit for hers.com 48 hours to get personalized, affordable care that gets you. That's f o r h e r s.com 48 hours Forhers.com 48 hours Weight loss by hers is not available in all 50 states. WeGovy is the registered trademark of Novo Nordisk as to get started and learn more, including important safety information, WeGovy clinical study information, and restrictions, visit for hers.com

[Lemonade Pet Insurance Announcer]

do you love your pets? Do you love suspense? Do you love it when your pets keep you in suspense because they ate something mysterious. And who knows what the vet visit will cost? If you answered yes twice and then no, you should protect your pet with Lemonade Pet Insurance. It can save you up to 90% on vet bills for checkups, emergencies, diagnostics, all the stuff that leaves you financially on the edge of your seat. Get a quick and Easy [e-mail] pet and get your suspense somewhere else, like from a riveting podcast.

[Narrator/Reporter]

In the spring of 2020, it looked like the bitter custody battle between Alyssa and Andrew had finally come to an end. Alyssa had a new guy named Ben, and Andrew fell hard for a woman named Holly Elkins. Someone his mom, Lisette was thrilled about.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

A daughter from minute one. She just has this charm and energy. I warmed to her very quickly.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Alyssa was happy that he started dating someone else.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

I guess hopeful that Holly would help this situation, that Holly would be supportive of the mother that's involved.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Holly sent this text to Alyssa. Look forward to having a super healthy relationship with you and Ben. Alyssa responded, I hope your influence helps, because I'd love nothing more for us all to have a healthy relationship. Despite Holly's message, Andrew suddenly became hostile with Alyssa. He was once again demanding primary custody of Willow, dragging Alyssa back into court.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

He was always very short, very rude, very hateful. It just totally changed the way that they communicated together.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Alyssa couldn't shake this uneasy feeling that she was being watched and began telling family and friends that Andrew always seemed to know what she was doing.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

He knew where she was, he knew where Willow was. He knew just other places that she had been.

[Shelby Wright (Alyssa's Friend and Roommate)]

I remember one night she was out with one of her friends and they were at a bar in downtown Dallas and she's like, text me, oh, my gosh, Andrew is here. And in my mind, I'm like, the odds of that happening are slim to none, you know, she didn't know how he was tracking her. She just knew that she was being tracked.

[Interviewer]

How would you describe what she went through?

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Hell. I mean, every day you feel like you're having to watch over your shoulder. That's how I felt.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

She lived.

[Alyssa Burkett (via video recording)]

Hi, everyone. My name's Alyssa.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Madison found this video after Alyssa's death. It was never posted.

[Alyssa Burkett (via video recording)]

This past year, I have been going through a custody battle, a very ugly one. I have a one year old child. It's taken a toll on my mental and physical health. With that being said, I've become a lot stronger in the process. And I guess just my message is, no matter what you're going through, stick it Out. You can do it and stay strong.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But she would continue to be tested. In September 2020, one month before her murder, it reached a whole new level. A man who said his name was Frank Morrow called 911 and reported that Alyssa was selling drugs out of the trunk of her car at work.

[Witness/Police Officer]

I saw what I thought looked like someone just selling some drugs out of their truck. And I could smell it, and I could see it.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Okay, what kind of vehicle is it?

[Witness/Police Officer]

It's a little Toyota Corolla. I have a license.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

Okay, great. What was your last name?

[Witness/Police Officer]

Morrow.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Acting on this tip, Carrollton police officers descended on the Greentree Apartments leasing office and confronted Alyssa. She gave them the keys to her car, and they opened the trunk. Inside, they discovered drugs, a pistol, and some cash, exactly where the caller said they would be.

[Interviewer]

So your daughter suddenly now looks like a drug dealer and a dangerous one as well. She's armed, Yes. I mean, is Alyssa worried that she's going to get arrested, lose her job?

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Yes, all of the above. She's worried about her job. She thinks, yeah, she's going to be arrested. Now he's going to use this in court, so she's for sure going to lose Willow.

[Narrator/Reporter]

After questioning Alyssa, it was clear to police that she knew nothing about the drugs and pistol in the trunk of her car. They concluded those items had been planted. The caller had tried to frame her. Alyssa knew in her gut that caller was Andrew Beard. Later that day, she texted her roommate, Shelby.

[Shelby Wright (Alyssa's Friend and Roommate)]

Alyssa messaged me and said, he is going to try to get someone to kill me next.

[Interviewer]

And when you read those words, my heart dropped.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

That wasn't who she was. She wasn't a fearful person. Showing and asking for help shows me that she was genuinely scared.

[Shelby Wright (Alyssa's Friend and Roommate)]

She knew that, you know, whatever was coming next was going to be serious.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The once fearless young woman had become scared for her life. These are some of the texts she sent to her sister, Madison. Come over while I walk inside. Lock the door behind you. Do you see anyone around you? And Alyssa wasn't the only one who was terrified.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

It kept progressing. Each thing that he would do just kept getting worse. And after this point, framing her and she didn't get arrested, I thought, well, what else is there to do besides kill her?

[Detective Chevalier]

Tonight's 48 hours will continue.

[Narrator/Reporter]

One month after the drugs and gun were planted in Alyssa Burkett's car, she was dead.

[Brandi Reagan (Friend of Alyssa)]

I knew that it was him when. When the drugs didn't work in the car for him to get the baby.

[Detective Chevalier]

Once we talked to Alyssa's Mom. We had an idea who we were looking for.

[Interviewer]

And who is that person?

[Detective Chevalier]

That person was Andrew Beard.

[Audience Reaction/Promotional Voice]

Oh, my God.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And to Teresa's horror, he had visitation with Willow that day. The baby was with him?

[Brandi Reagan (Friend of Alyssa)]

Yes. I want my grandbaby away from him.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

My first thoughts were, if he's gonna kill Willow.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Within hours of the murder, the police pulled over Andrew Beard's F150 pickup truck for an alle traffic violation. Andrew and his fiance, Holly Elkins, were asked to get out of the vehicle.

[Detective Chevalier]

The daughter's in a car seat in the backseat.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Much of the body cam footage in this program has been resized so you can see it better.

[Witness/Police Officer]

They've been pretty cooperative.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Andrew seemed unfazed by the whole thing, says Detective Harding.

[Detective Harding]

He was very calm. He wasn't amped up. He didn't seem nervous.

[Witness/Police Officer]

My part was to just find you. That's all they asked me to do.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Ultimately, Andrew and Holly were allowed to go and because he had court mandated visitation rights, take Willow with them. But the Police seized his F150 pickup and instructed him not to return home. Andrew, Holly, and Willow went to a hotel. And that night, a search of Andrew's house turned up critical evidence.

[Detective Harding]

This was found inside the living room in one of Andrew Beard's backpacks, such

[Narrator/Reporter]

as this envelope, scribbled with incriminating notes.

[Detective Harding]

Upon reading the notes, we realized those were tied to The Frank Morrow 911 call.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Frank Morrow, the caller who had reported Alyssa was selling drugs out of her car.

[Detective Harding]

Alyssa's license plate number, the color and model of the vehicle. Frank Morrow, everything that he needed to make that 911 call was on this back of the car.

[Interviewer]

It's like you discovered the screenplay to this phony call to 911.

[Detective Harding]

I was kind of shocked. I was like, he. He kept this.

[Narrator/Reporter]

So we found this GPS tracker box also in plain view, says another lead detective Jeremy Chevalier. Charging stations and batteries that match the tracking device detectives discovered on Alyssa's car after the murder.

[Detective Chevalier]

So this is the device that was put on her car. That was all part of his plan to catch her doing something that he believed that she shouldn't be doing to gain an advantage in that child custody dispute.

[Narrator/Reporter]

A search of that Ford F150 seized at the traffic stop turned up more jaw dropping evidence.

[Detective Chevalier]

So this is one of the makeup vials that we recovered from inside one of the bags in the F150.

[Narrator/Reporter]

It was a foundation called Java.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, it's really dark, Very dark. And the purpose of that was, what

[Detective Chevalier]

do you Believe was to disguise Andrew Beard's face to make him look like an African American.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The police found the knife sheath at the scene, but never found the knife or the gun. But the day after the homicide, they found something just as important. That black suv. They learned Andrew had bought it specifically to commit the murder. And there it was, abandoned less than a mile from Andrew's house.

[Detective Chevalier]

He drove it to that location, and he fled back to his house the morning of the murder.

[Narrator/Reporter]

That's Andrew Beard captured on a home security camera through the neighborhood.

[Detective Chevalier]

He is doing the Bigfoot run from this vehicle.

[Interviewer]

What'd you find? When you guys processed the inside of

[Detective Chevalier]

this vehicle, we were able to recover multiple spots where blood was recovered that was later tested to be Alyssa's blood.

[Narrator/Reporter]

They also found another part of his disguise. A fake beard.

[Interviewer]

That looks like a Halloween kind of beard.

[Detective Harding]

Exactly.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Yes.

[Detective Harding]

He purchased a Halloween costume.

[Detective Chevalier]

So that's what led us to get the arrest warrant for Andrew Beard.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Andrew Beard, who still had Willow, had been staying in an Airbnb with his fiance, Holly Elkins, and mother Lizette.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

When we were at the Airbnb, he got a call he was going to be arrested.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Just three days after Alyssa was killed, Willow was sent back to Teresa, and Andrew Beard turned himself into the police. He was charged with murder.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

I was confident they had the wrong man.

[Narrator/Reporter]

So was Holly Elkins. She volunteered to speak to the police.

[Holly Elkins]

I want to help. I really do, but I don't have any answers.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Incredulous that the man she planned to marry was capable of murder.

[Holly Elkins]

So I just told all my friends and family that I'm engaged to the most wonderful man on the planet, and now people want me to believe that he's not that.

[Detective Chevalier]

And there are so many emotional roadblocks for you to try to believe that.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I get that.

[Holly Elkins]

I can't believe that my fiance would do something like that to a woman or to anybody but a woman.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Detective Chevalier on the right and Detective Harding on the left interviewed Holly for about an hour, hoping to turn her into a witness for the prosecution.

[Detective Chevalier]

I'm telling you, there's a side of him that you do not know.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But she stood by Andrew, insisting that he had an alibi. He was home with her when the murder took place.

[Detective Chevalier]

There are a few hours that you know he was not in that house.

[Holly Elkins]

You cannot tell me that I feel that way, sir.

[Detective Chevalier]

I can tell you that because I know that for a fact that he was out of the house.

[Holly Elkins]

Holly, I don't know that for a fact.

[Shelby Wright (Alyssa's Friend and Roommate)]

That's what my problem Is Holly remained

[Narrator/Reporter]

adamant that she would have known if he had left.

[Holly Elkins]

I am a total stage five clinger girlfriend. I'm always up his ass. I find it hard to believe.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The interview ended with Holly standing by her man. She and Andrew's mom, Lisette, continued living together in an Airbnb. They became extremely close and bonded over their shared belief that. That Andrew was innocent. Says Lisette, we stayed so close.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

We were just connected at the hip and made agreements to never go anywhere without one another.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Finally, after two weeks behind bars, Andrew was released on bond. Lisette was overjoyed. Holly, as Lisette would soon discover, not so much.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

They've told us he's coming home tomorrow. And Holly says, I'm going. She's holding her suitcase, and she goes, I'm going. I'm leaving. I'm going home. But the day before Andrew gets home, why are you choosing now? During this scary, scary time in his life, she'd already ordered her Uber and never came back.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Detective Chevalier says he was so worried about Willow's safety, he reached out to the federal government to take the case under federal firearm laws because an unregistered silencer was found in Andrew's home. The feds agreed. Andrew Beard was rearrested eight days after he bonded out.

[Detective Chevalier]

Ultimately, at that point, our goal was to get him back into custody.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Andrew was ultimately charged with cyber stalking using a dangerous weapon, resulting in death. One year and eight months after Alyssa's murder, Andrew called his mother with unimaginable news.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

He said, you know, Mom, I'm. I'm going to plead guilty. So I immediately said, well, Andrew, you're not going to. You're not going to plead guilty to anything you didn't do, because clearly he didn't murder her, in my mind, because that's out of character and not who he is. And it was stupidly done, and he's not stupid, so it never was him.

[Narrator/Reporter]

But she would learn it was him. He admitted he did it. He killed the mother of his child.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

I have physically dropped to my knees sometimes feeling like I've gotten punched in the stomach, and I have to tell myself. I have to tell myself that that was a moment, a heinous, awful, out of character, broken moment.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Andrew Beard pleaded guilty, but the investigation wasn't over. Andrew Beard was talking, and he had a lot to say. How come you waited so long to talk about what Holly did?

[Lemonade Pet Insurance Announcer]

Do you love your pets? Do you love suspense? Do you love it when your pets keep you in suspense because they ate something mysterious? And who knows what the vet visit will cost if you answered yes twice and then no? You should protect your pet with Lemonade Pet Insurance. It can save you up to 90% on vet bills for checkups, emergencies, diagnostics, all the stuff that leaves you financially on the edge of your seat. Get a quick and Easy [e-mail] pet and get your suspense somewhere else, like from a riveting podcast.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Holly Elkins left Texas and returned to her home State of Michigan 2 1/2 weeks after the murder of Alyssa Burkett. She gave no hint of what she'd left behind, says her best friend from childhood, Stephanie Goddard.

[Interviewer]

Did she ever mention the name Alyssa Burkett to you?

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Never.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Never, Never.

[Shelby Wright (Alyssa's Friend and Roommate)]

Never.

[Narrator/Reporter]

She didn't talk about Andrew Beard either? Not even once? No. Stephanie, who met up with Holly about seven months after she returned to Michigan, says her old friend appeared to be starting life anew. A new condo, a new Lexus, a new man. She had this boyfriend with her, so everything just seemed really normal. Stephanie says from the time she was a teenager, Polly always had a guy, and she knew how to wrap them around her little finger. It was like a cat and mouse thing.

[Interviewer]

When you say cat and mouse, she was the cat.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Oh, absolutely. Yes, she was the cat.

[Interviewer]

She controlled the relationship.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Absolutely. She was the one in the driver's seat. Back in Texas, investigators were just beginning to learn more about the fiance who had skipped town after the murder. One year and nine months after Alyssa was killed, Andrew Beard spoke to the FBI as part of a plea deal,

[Witness/Police Officer]

which I'm assuming absolutely does look planned out because it was. The process was planned out.

[Narrator/Reporter]

It quickly became clear to investigators that this Holly Elkins.

[Holly Elkins]

I'm trying to help, and no one's helping me.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The Holly Elkins seemingly torn apart by Alyssa's death.

[Holly Elkins]

I just feel bad to not. I just feel bad to not help something that I think is very sad

[Narrator/Reporter]

that happened and was giving the performance of her life.

[Holly Elkins]

I've literally cried myself to nauseam every single night over this.

[Interviewer]

What did you learn about her true feelings about Alyssa?

[Detective Harding]

She hated Alyssa.

[Narrator/Reporter]

With a burning passion, investigators dug back into Andrew and Holly's text messages, many of which Alyssa's family also saw.

[Interviewer]

Both of you learned that Holly had some derogatory words about Alyssa. What did she call her?

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

Ugly, fat, a bad mom, all things that she wasn't. And baby mama, as was my sister's contact name in Holly's phone.

[Interviewer]

See? Baby mama. Derogatory word that any woman finds despicable.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

What the heck's all that Jealousy.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Holly wanted something Alyssa had and she didn't, says Madison.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

She wanted Willow.

[Interviewer]

Why was she so obsessed with Willow?

[Detective Chevalier]

That was her life. She wanted a perfect family and that was her way of getting it. Alyssa was going to stand in her way of doing that.

[Witness/Police Officer]

If it was Friday, Holly would have been with me.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The more Andrew talked, the clearer Holly's role became, says Detective Chevalier.

[Interviewer]

What portrait did he paint of Holly Elkins?

[Detective Chevalier]

That she was the one running the show. That she was telling him what he was going to do, when he was going to do it, how he was going to do it.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Remember that drug plant?

[Witness/Police Officer]

If you were to ask me whose idea was what drugs. And the planning of drugs was Elkins.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Holly Elkins is even tried to get Alyssa's mom Teresa arrested. The incident started when Teresa and Alyssa drove by Holly and Andrew's home. Teresa says Holly and Andrew had failed to return Willow at the appointed time.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

We see Holly on the golf cart with Willow in her lap, coming towards the end of their driveway. And I got out of the car and I grabbed Willow, went and got back in the car, handed Willow to Alyssa and sped off.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Holly immediately called the police, who arrived with body cams rolling. Holly told them Teresa assaulted her. When she grabbed Willow from her lap,

[Holly Elkins]

she literally attacked me from behind or from behind side. I was facing the lake.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Theresa says she never touched Holly, but Holly pulled up her shirt to show cops scratches she claimed Teresa had in fact afflicted.

[Holly Elkins]

No, no, no, no.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

Oh, you have some in your.

[Narrator/Reporter]

On your stomach.

[Interviewer]

What did you think of those pictures?

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

That they were ridiculous. That it was so apparent that she had done that to herself.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

How would they even think someone else did that to her? Because they're going downwards like your own hand did it.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The police agreed, concluding the injuries looked like they were self inflicted. But it only made things more dangerous for Alyssa, says Detective Chevalier.

[Detective Chevalier]

The things that they were doing to try to get custody of Willow wasn't working at that point. And I think that they decided we gotta up the game. And upping the game meant getting rid

[Narrator/Reporter]

of Alyssa, Holly began playing her game of cat and mouse.

[Witness/Police Officer]

It was made very clear to me that your previous methods aren't working. This is what you're gonna do now. In order to prove that you're basically you're worthy.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Worthy of being a man who deserved her love.

[Interviewer]

Holly Elkins writes to Andrew. I don't want anyone who is a. To some low life or a pushover. I want a man who protects his women and child before anyone and doesn't give two Fs. Otherwise, your comment, just straightforward manipulation.

[Detective Chevalier]

She was going to make him do what she felt needed to be done no matter what.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And Andrew told investigators, it worked like,

[Witness/Police Officer]

I was emotionally drained. And at that point, I just basically said, okay, became submissive to whatever she wanted me to do. That's the task I did.

[Narrator/Reporter]

A week and a half before the murder, Holly left for Mexico, but didn't let up on Andrew.

[Interviewer]

Here's a text. This is one week before the murders. This is September 25, 2020. Holly Elkins writes, I hope you handle it. I'm not coming home to B.S. andrew Beard says, that's my goal. To that, Holly texted back, well, it will be a whole different conversation if I feel like you are ride or die. If not, then I don't know, what is she saying to him.

[Detective Chevalier]

To me, it means that you're either with me or you're not with me. You're either gonna ride with me and die with me, or you're not gonna be with me at all.

[Narrator/Reporter]

After he killed Alyssa, Andrew told investigators Paulie begged for details about the crime.

[Detective Chevalier]

Her request was that he described the murder to her while they were in bed together.

[Detective Harding]

It's one of the most degrading things I've ever heard.

[Narrator/Reporter]

In May of 2023, Andrew Beard was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison. Investigators believe Holly Elkins thought the case was over.

[Detective Chevalier]

I think she believed that the further she got away from this, the less involved she was going to be. But it didn't work out for her.

[Lemonade Pet Insurance Announcer]

Do you love your pets? Do you love suspense? Do you love it when your pets keep you in suspense because they ate something mysterious? And who knows what the vet visit will cost? If you answered yes twice and then no, you should protect your pet with Lemonade Pet insurance. It can save you up to 90% on vet bills for checkups, emergencies, diagnostics, all the stuff, Peter, that leaves you financially on the edge of your seat. Get a quick and Easy [e-mail] pet and get your suspense somewhere else, like from a riveting podcast.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

These are the photos of the grave we always decorated for every holiday in July of 2023.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

Valentine's Day. And then G. Merry Christmas.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Almost three years after Alyssa's death. Happy Mother's Day. Holly Elkins was arrested by federal agents at the Miami airport as she was returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

The lanterns, that was, I think, one of my favorite things that we did

[Narrator/Reporter]

an arrest a long time coming for Alyssa's family.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

What is that balloon I thought we were never going to see that happen. I felt relief.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Holly, who pleaded not guilty, was charged with conspiracy to stalk and stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death. The FBI had built a compelling case against her, says Detective Chevalier.

[Detective Chevalier]

Holly's phone really had a lot of stuff on it. Searching for tracking devices. There were indications that they were together whenever the ammunition and the knife were purchased.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And they also tied Holly to the makeup Andrew used to disguise himself as a black man.

[Witness/Police Officer]

It was, you're going to dress up as a, as a different person. Essentially, you're gonna wear this dark makeup. That was her plan. That was how it's gonna be done.

[Narrator/Reporter]

While Andrew seems harmless in this video, never forget that he was the one who chased Alyssa down. Like a hunter tracking a wounded animal, he furiously stabbed her with a brutality these detectives had never seen.

[Interviewer]

Andrew ends up saying about why he came back to finish her. What did he say?

[Detective Chevalier]

His statement to us during the interview with Agent Hansen was that he did it out of mercy, that he knew that she was still alive and he was somehow doing her a favor by killing her.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Andrew may have committed the murder alone, but according to the U.S. attorney's office, he didn't plan it alone. In April 2024, Polly Elkins went on trial as a co conspirator in the courtroom where no cameras were put permitted. One of the prosecutors put it like this, says Detective Harding, Andrew Beard is

[Detective Harding]

a monster, but he was Holly Elkins monster.

[Holly Elkins]

I don't want or need a lawyer because I don't have anything to hide.

[Narrator/Reporter]

US Attorneys painted a picture of a woman who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.

[Holly Elkins]

Well, I feel like the dumbest, most manipulated woman on the entire planet if this is true. Yes.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And what she wanted was a little girl named Willow.

[Interviewer]

And do you believe Holly Elkins was a puppet master in all of this?

[Detective Harding]

100%, I do. She orchestrated this whole thing.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

I think Holly is wicked. I think she's wicked to the core that she would ever want this to happen to another woman, to a mother, to a mother of the child that she had come to love.

[Interviewer]

What if these two had never come together, Holly and Andrew, Would Andrew have committed this murder?

[Detective Harding]

I. I don't think they would have. I 100% believe that if Holly and Andrew had never met, that Alyssa Burkett would be alive today.

[Narrator/Reporter]

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

[Interviewer]

The jury takes just 90 minutes to deliberate. When they come back to that courtroom, what is the verdict?

[Detective Chevalier]

Guilty.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Holly was found guilty and sentenced to two life terms much longer than Andrew. For Alyssa's family, the verdict was a bittersweet victory.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

I was thrilled but heartbroken at the same time. I'm so happy that Alyssa's getting the justice she deserved. But at that point, it's over. Our fight is over.

[Narrator/Reporter]

Two families are left to grapple with the wreckage Holly Elkins and Andrew Beard left behind. Lisette Bowers will forever be known as the mother of a murderer.

[Lisette Bowers (Andrew Beard's Mother)]

He killed someone, and that is beyond awful. It's the worst thing anyone can do. But that's not who I love.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And Teresa and Madison must try to make sense of a world without Alyssa in it.

[Madison Grimes (Alyssa's Sister)]

We don't get to live the normal life anymore. It was always me and her, my best friend. Like that was my person. And only getting to be with her for 20 years. That's not just not fair.

[Narrator/Reporter]

After the trial, Teresa was allowed to take Alyssa's things out of her car.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

It was pretty emotional for all of us, actually. This was the mirror that she used so she could see Willow from the driver's seat. You know, just knowing that was the last place she was sitting when it happened.

[Narrator/Reporter]

I want Mama. Willow, who was with Teresa, had never cried over her mother until that day.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

She was crying, asking me if I could please bring her mom back just so she could see her one more time. And I tried to explain to her that she's in heaven. And then she asked me if she had a phone number in heaven.

[Narrator/Reporter]

One day, Willow will learn the whole story of what happened to her mother.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

Do you know what this is?

[Narrator/Reporter]

Willow Tree.

[Holly Elkins]

Yep.

[Narrator/Reporter]

And when that time comes, her family hopes Willow will see the beauty in Alyssa's life, not the tragedy of her death.

[Teresa Collard (Alyssa's Mother)]

I hope that one day she grows up and she feels the love that her mom, see sincerely had for her.

[McDonald's Promotional Voice]

You may think you know McDonald's drinks, but you don't know them like this. From fruity refreshers like the Strawberry Watermelon Refresher and the Mango Pineapple Refresher with popping Boba. To crafted sodas like the Sprite Berry Blast with berry flavored Sprite topped with cold foam. Who knew ice cold drinks could be so fire six? All new drinks are here. Try them all now at McDonald's. Refreshers contain caffeine.

[Audience Reaction/Promotional Voice]

Sunday, June 14, Paramount plus presents a night for the Ages live at the White House.

[Detective Chevalier]

UFC stars don't come bigger than this.

[Audience Reaction/Promotional Voice]

The world's greatest fighters on America's biggest stage. This is the moment we have all been waiting for. Featuring two UFC title fights with Ilya Taforia versus Justin Gaiche.

[Narrator/Reporter]

The hype is real.

[Audience Reaction/Promotional Voice]

Plus Alex Pereira versus Cyril Gar and so much more. Let's go, baby. UFC at the White House Sunday, June 14th at 8 Eastern, only on Paramount. Plus.