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“Ride or Die”: 20/20 Reports on Alyssa Burkett Homicide December 16 2025

by · December 12, 2025

ABC’s 20/20 aired a harrowing new installment titled Ride or Die on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, uncovering the deeply disturbing murder of 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett in Carrollton, Texas. Hosted by John Quiñones, the episode dissects the events of October 2, 2020, and the long trail of harassment, manipulation, and premeditation that led to her death. It also exposes a conspiracy that stretched beyond the killer himself, revealing the extent of involvement by his fiancée, Holly Elkins.

The Attack That Shook a Community

On a quiet morning in 2020, Alyssa Burkett arrived at her workplace, the leasing office of the Greentree Apartments. As she sat in her car, a man pulled up beside her in a black SUV and shot her through the driver’s side window. Despite a head wound, Alyssa managed to flee toward the building, leaving a bloodied handprint on the glass as she sought help. The assailant caught up with her and stabbed her 44 times in a savage, calculated attack.

The brutal nature of the assault immediately pointed to a personal motive. Investigators swiftly turned their attention to Andrew Beard, Alyssa’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her child. Hours after the killing, Beard was stopped by police while traveling with his new fiancée, Holly Elkins, and their daughter. Although not arrested at the time, Beard was told not to return home. This decision marked the beginning of a federal-level investigation that would soon expose the depth of a carefully planned murder plot.

A Custody Battle Turned Deadly

Alyssa and Andrew shared a one-year-old daughter, Willow. Their relationship had deteriorated into a bitter custody dispute. While the two had reached a temporary agreement in early 2020, tensions reignited when Beard demanded primary custody once more. Alyssa voiced concerns to her family that she felt watched and tracked. That fear was later confirmed when police discovered a GPS tracker hidden on her vehicle.

Beard’s resentment, fueled by his relationship with Elkins, spiraled into obsession. Police recovered surveillance footage, 911 calls, and bodycam recordings that documented the intense scrutiny Beard had subjected Alyssa to. The physical evidence only strengthened the case: fake facial hair, brown makeup, and a black rainsuit found in a backpack inside Beard’s pickup truck, along with a gun silencer and slashed hiking boots soaked in bleach.

The Role of Holly Elkins

Although Beard pulled the trigger and wielded the knife, the deeper story centered around his fiancée, Holly Elkins. Investigators initially viewed Elkins as a possible witness, but that perspective shifted drastically. Elkins, who had presented herself as a supportive partner with no knowledge of the crime, soon became the focal point of a conspiracy case.

Through text messages, internet searches, and interviews, a chilling narrative emerged. Elkins had not only encouraged the murder but actively participated in the planning. She helped place the GPS tracker, filed false police reports against Alyssa, purchased the dark makeup used in the disguise, and accompanied Beard when he bought ammunition and the murder weapon. Her messages to Beard revealed mounting pressure and emotional manipulation, urging him to “handle it” and be her “ride or die.”

Arrests, Trials, and Sentencing

Andrew Beard initially faced state murder charges before federal prosecutors intervened due to the use of an unregistered firearm silencer. He was ultimately charged with cyberstalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. In July 2022, Beard pleaded guilty and received a 43-year federal sentence.

His plea deal included full cooperation, and his statements to the FBI were pivotal in building the case against Elkins. Beard described her as the architect of the plan, saying she orchestrated the details of the disguise and pressured him relentlessly to follow through. Investigators also discovered incriminating search history and receipts linking Elkins to the crime.

Elkins was arrested in July 2023 after returning from the Dominican Republic. She was charged with conspiracy to stalk, stalking resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm. Her trial in April 2024 lasted one week. The jury took only 90 minutes to find her guilty on all counts. In August 2024, she was sentenced to two life terms.

The Legacy of Alyssa Burkett

Alyssa Burkett’s death devastated her family and community. Her coworkers remembered her as a determined young woman who fought to protect her child. The prosecution emphasized how she endured months of psychological warfare before the final, brutal act. Her daughter, Willow, now lives without both parents—her mother murdered, her father and his partner imprisoned.

The 20/20 episode Ride or Die brought national attention to the case, emphasizing the consequences of unchecked obsession and manipulation. The program also highlighted the tireless efforts of Carrollton police, federal investigators, and prosecutors who pursued justice not only for Alyssa but for her daughter and family.

This case stands as a reminder of the dangers posed by coercive relationships and the lengths some will go to maintain control. The convictions of Beard and Elkins ensured that both conspirators would never again be free to cause harm, offering some measure of justice for a life taken far too soon.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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