Rowlett woman gets 2 life sentences for plotting fiancé's ex-girlfriend's murder
ROWLETT, Texas - The Rowlett woman convicted of orchestrating the murder of her fiancé's ex-girlfriend will spend the rest of her life in prison.
Holly Elkins was sentenced Thursday to two consecutive life terms for the death of 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett.
Burkett was shot and stabbed to death on Oct. 2, 2020, at the Carrollton apartment complex where she worked.
Prosecutors said Elkins was the "puppet master" behind Burkett’s murder.
According to evidence presented at the trial, she stalked and harassed Burkett for months. She helped her fiancé, Andrew Beard, plant drugs and a gun in her vehicle and called the police on her, falsely claiming Burkett was a drug dealer.
A week before the murder, Elkins texted Beard, "I hope you handle it," and that he’d be her "ride or die," prosecutors said.
Holly Elkins (left), Andrew Beard (top right) and Alyssa Burkett (bottom right)
On Oct. 2, Beard disguised himself as a Black man and shot Burkett in the head while she was in her car in the parking lot of the apartment complex where she worked. As she staggered out of the car, he then stabbed her 44 times.
The Department of Justice says Elkins stayed at Beard’s home with Burkett’s daughter during the murder in an attempt to create an alibi. She later told investigators Beard was home with them.
Russell Forsyth will never experience closure regarding the murder of his granddaughter, Alyssa Burkett.
"When someone says, ‘I’m glad you got closure,’ sometimes I have to say it’s not like that," he said. "Alyssa was the victim of an unprovoked attack."
North Texas woman found guilty of plotting fiancé's ex-girlfriend's murder
Prosecutors told the jury Holly Elkins was the "puppet master" behind Alyssa Burkett’s murder. She stalked and harassed her for months and even helped plant drugs and a gun in her vehicle to call police on her.
Prosecutors say Elkins dreamed of a life with Beard and the daughter he shared with Burkett. She was obsessed with wanting custody of the girl.
"She wasn’t an innocent bystander, she participated in this all the way," Forsyth said. "I think without her influence, Andrew would not have committed the murder."
Burkett’s daughter, Willow, is now 5 years old. Her grandmother is now the child’s guardian.
"We’re very proud of her. She’s the light in all of this that keeps us going, to be honest," Forsyth said. "And there was a very telling story today. She was dropping her off at school, and they were in line. Willow was in the backseat. She said, ‘I miss my other mother.’"
Rowlett man sentenced to 43 years in prison for stalking, murdering ex-girlfriend
Andrew Beard, who was in a bitter custody dispute with his 24-year-old ex-girlfriend Alyssa Burkett, admitted to killing her in a Carrollton parking lot.
Forsyth says it’s a sign that no matter what sentence is given to those responsible, there will always be a hole in the collective heart of his family.
"We can learn from it. We can integrate it into our lives," he said. "But I don’t think you ever close the book totally on something like this, which is the way I feel about Alyssa. The book is still open with her."
Beard pleaded guilty in 2023 to charges related to Burkett’s death. He is serving a 43-year federal prison sentence.