CARROLLTON, Texas — In the quiet early hours at Greentree Apartments, a community north of Dallas, the life of 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett was brutally ended. Burkett had recently navigated a contentious custody battle over her 1-year-old daughter, Willow, with her ex-boyfriend Andrew Beard. On Oct. 2, 2020, the dispute culminated in violence when Beard, dressed in disguise, attacked Burkett at her workplace, leading to her tragic death.
According to Sgt. Michael Harding of the Carrollton Police Department, Burkett was caught unaware as she parked at her office. A black SUV pulled up beside her, and the driver, later identified as Beard, shot her through the car window before stabbing her 44 times in a frenzied assault. The attack, noted for its egregiousness, shocked even seasoned law enforcement officers.
Eyewitness Darin Ickeler, a maintenance supervisor at the apartment complex, described the scene as “horrible.” Burkett managed to exit her vehicle and sought help, leaving a bloodied handprint on a nearby building before her attacker fled the scene.
As the community reeled from the violence, Burkett’s family was left to grapple with their loss and the horrifying details of her death. Burkett’s mother, Teresa Collard, pointed authorities toward Beard, citing a tumultuous and fearful relationship exacerbated by their custody battle. Their struggle had entangled not only the courts but also their personal lives, draining Burkett emotionally and financially.
Beard and Burkett’s relationship, which began on a dating app, had been marked by disparities from the start. Beard was nearly nine years her senior, with an established career and stable home, while Burkett was still finding her footing, balancing life as a young mother and a college student. Their brief relationship led to pregnancy, and ultimately, to conflicting aspirations for their daughter’s future.
The custody conflicts intensified after Burkett gave birth, with Beard pushing for full custody, a situation Burkett resisted fiercely. This battle spilled over into multiple court hearings, straining Burkett’s finances and heightening her fears for her daughter’s wellbeing.
Investigations after Burkett’s murder revealed a calculated attempt by Beard to control and manipulate the situation. Detectives uncovered evidence of Beard tracking Burkett’s movements and found incriminating materials at his residence that linked him to the staged drug deal intended to discredit Burkett.
Just days after the crime, Beard, maintaining a demeanor of innocence, was stopped by police. Despite the grim reality, he and his fiancée, Holly Elkins, were briefly detained before being allowed to continue on, due in part to Beard’s legal visitation rights with his daughter.
The case against Beard grew as investigation continued. Items found in Beard’s vehicle and home connected him directly to the planning and execution of the murder, including disguises and a falsified police call aimed at framing Burkett as a criminal.
Ultimately, Beard’s own admissions and the accumulation of evidence led to his conviction. He was charged with murder and additional federal crimes related to cyberstalking and using a dangerous weapon. Meanwhile, Elkins, who fled to Michigan after the murder, was later captured and faced charges related to her involvement in the conspiracy.
The tragic story, culminating in courtrooms and continuing investigations, highlights the destructive potential of domestic conflicts and the extremes to which individuals might go in custody disputes. For Burkett’s family and young daughter, the journey has been one of immense pain and gradual healing, seeking justice while remembering the vibrant life of a young woman taken too soon.