Andrew Charles Beard, left, Alyssa Ann Burkett (Beard mugshot via Dallas County Jail; Burkett photo from obituary)
The ex-fiancée of a white man who wore blackface when shooting and stabbing the mother of his child is now charged with helping him plot the brutal murder.
Holly Ann Elkins, 32, was federally indicted in June for conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury and death, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, the U.S. Department of Justice for the Northern District of Texas announced on Friday.
Authorities arrested Elkins on Friday in Miami, Florida. She then had an initial court appearance.
Prosecutors allege she aided her former fiancé Andrew Beard on his obsessive quest to terrorize and kill his ex-girlfriend Alyssa Ann Burkett.
Beard and Burkett had been in the middle of a bitter custody battle over their young daughter. Elkins allegedly tried to help him win even at the cost of the victim’s life.
Prosecutors claim Elkins and Beard purchased a GPS tracking device in the summer of 2020 which was later found on Burkett’s vehicle.
Elkins allegedly called cops on July 25, 2020, using a fake name to falsely claim seeing the victim’s car driving dangerously.
On Sept. 2, 2020, Elkins also planted illegal drugs and a gun with an erased serial number in the trunk of the victim’s vehicle, prosecutors said.
The goal was to have Burkett arrested.
Elkins allegedly texted Beard a photo of the license plate number so he could use it when falsely telling cops under the fake name “Frank Marrow” that Burkett was selling drugs at the apartment complex where she worked.
A search of the spare tire well turned up drugs and a pistol with an obliterated serial number.
When questioned by police, Burkett vehemently denied selling drugs. She told officers she believed Beard planted them, authorities said.
Prosecutors allege Elkins directly prepared for the murder and established Beard’s alibi.
On Sept. 13, 2020, she and Beard bought the vehicle to use in the attack, authorities said.
The next day on Sept. 14, 2020, she allegedly purchased makeup for the killer’s disguise.
Then on Sept. 19, 2020, the couple together purchased .410 shotgun shells and a knife.
More Law&Crime coverage: Man convicted of road rage stabbing appears in court wearing blackface
On Oct. 2, 2020, Beard was in blackface when he shot Burkett in the head while she was behind the wheel of her car in her work parking lot.
She staggered out in an attempt to get help. Beard stabbed her 13 times. She died at the scene. Beard fled.
Meanwhile, Elkins was allegedly at Beard’s home with Burkett’s child, and she later told investigators that Beard was actually at the residence when the murder happened.
But authorities discovered the suspect vehicle abandoned near Beard’s home. Investigators also found evidence showing he had disguised his race.
Those pieces of evidence included: two bottles of liquid foundation makeup, partially burned wipes with brown residue, a burned metal cylinder consistent with a makeup brush container, and a dark prosthetic beard with apparent makeup on the inside.
The fake beard contained DNA that matched Beard, authorities said. Dried blood recovered from the vehicle contained DNA that matched Burkett, officials said.
Now, with Beard serving a 43-year federal sentence for cyberstalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, prosecutors are going after Elkins for her alleged role in the bloody crime.
If convicted, she faces up to two consecutive life sentences in federal prison.
Burkett was a loving mother with a good grasp on life and a bright future, her obituary said.
“Alyssa was strong-willed, ambitious, fiercely determined, and driven. She had many friends, and she was a natural leader among them. Alyssa was well-loved among her friends and family. Her presence will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved her.”
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