How a Young Texas Mom Was Killed in a Brutal Ambush Outside Her Workplace

The Brutal Murder of Alyssa Burkett: A True Crime Story

Alyssa Burkett, a 24-year-old mother to an infant daughter named Willow, faced a tragic end when she was brutally murdered outside her workplace in Carrollton, Texas. The incident, which occurred on October 2, 2020, sent shockwaves through the community and garnered national attention.

The case is detailed in an upcoming episode of “20/20,” titled “Ride or Die.” Premiering on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC, the special will delve into the harrowing details of Burkett’s murder and the subsequent investigations that unraveled a complex web of secrets.

Tragic Circumstances

On the morning of October 2, 2020, Burkett arrived at the Greentree Apartments, where she worked as an assistant office manager. Little did she know, her fate was about to be sealed in a moment of sheer terror.

A black Ford Expedition pulled up next to her car, and a darkly dressed driver emerged. In a split second, Burkett’s life changed forever.

She was shot through the window before she could escape into her office. The assailant then proceeded to stab and slash her 44 times, leaving her critically injured.

Investigations and Suspects

The Carrollton Police Department quickly launched an investigation. Detective Jeremy Chevallier described the scene as “the most brutal” he had ever encountered in his 33 years of law enforcement. The search for the assailant began, with officers canvassing neighborhoods near Andrew Beard’s home.

On the day after Burkett’s murder, police noticed a vehicle consistent with the description given by witnesses.

Inside the car, they found evidence suggesting it could have been used in the crime, including a hole drilled into the side of the car that could have been a gun port and dark-colored makeup and a fake beard.

Andrew Beard, Burkett’s ex-boyfriend who was 10 years her senior, was soon identified as a suspect. He faced federal charges for cyberstalking, using a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and discharging a firearm during the crime. On May 23, 2023, he pleaded guilty to these charges and was sentenced to 43 years in prison.

However, Beard’s story took an unexpected turn when he claimed his fiancée Holly Elkins was actually responsible for Burkett’s murder.

He pointed authorities to texts where Elkins allegedly said “I need to know you’re my ride or die” and “I’m not coming home unless I know you did this.” In July 2023, investigators believed they had collected enough evidence to charge Elkins.

Elkins was arrested at the Miami airport in July 2024 after returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic. At her trial, she pleaded not guilty and argued that it wasn’t her who committed the crime or installed trackers on Burkett’s vehicle as authorities alleged. Her attorneys also rejected the notion that she was the “mastermind” behind the killing.

Elkins was convicted of conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

She received two consecutive life sentences. In December 2025, her conviction on the firearm charge was overturned on appeal, reducing her sentence to life without parole.

Aftermath and Legacy

Alyssa Burkett’s legacy lives on through her daughter Willow. Teresa Collard, Burkett’s mother, adopted Willow and described a striking resemblance between the two. “They are a spitting image of each other,” she said. “Even the way Willow walks … Willow turns around and walks off and I see Alyssa walking off.” Collard’s words underscore the lasting impact of this tragedy on both families.

The case, as explored in the upcoming “20/20” episode, serves not only as a cautionary tale but also as an opportunity to reflect on the complexities of domestic relationships and the lengths some might go to protect their interests.