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Who Is Andrew Beard? & Where Is He Now? 2025 Update & Background

Ryan Gill

Andrew Charles Beard, born in the mid-1980s, is the man convicted of orchestrating and executing the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett. His case became a national headline in 2020 and was later profiled on 20/20 and 48 Hours due to the calculated nature of the crime and the disturbing involvement of his then-fiancée, Holly Elkins.

Beard lived in Rockwall, Texas, and shared a young daughter with Alyssa. Following their separation, a bitter custody battle began, during which Beard aggressively pursued full custody of their child. He had financial stability and legal resources on his side, which made the legal process especially stressful for Alyssa. While outwardly appearing cooperative during temporary agreements, Beard was seething with resentment beneath the surface.

From Custody Dispute to Cold-Blooded Murder

In 2020, Beard began a relationship with Holly Elkins. The relationship quickly escalated in intensity and hostility toward Alyssa. Together, they began a campaign of surveillance, harassment, and psychological warfare against her. They placed a GPS tracker on her car, made false police reports, and attempted to frame her by planting drugs and weapons.

On October 2, 2020, Beard disguised himself as a Black man using dark foundation and a fake beard. He waited for Alyssa at her workplace in a black SUV he had purchased specifically for the crime. He shot her through the driver’s side window and then chased her as she tried to escape, stabbing her 44 times in front of the leasing office. Witnesses found her covered in blood, gasping for air. She died at the scene.

Arrest, Charges, and Confession

Beard was initially arrested on murder charges by Carrollton Police, but was later released on bond. Concerned about the danger he posed, local investigators escalated the case to federal authorities when they discovered an unregistered gun silencer at his home—a federal offense. This led to his rearrest and prosecution under federal law.

In June 2022, Beard pleaded guilty to cyberstalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. His plea deal included full cooperation with authorities. In his statements to the FBI, Beard described how Elkins pressured him and helped plan every aspect of the murder. He admitted she purchased the makeup, drove him to buy weapons, and emotionally manipulated him by insisting he had to “handle it” to prove his loyalty.

Sentencing and Current Whereabouts

On May 24, 2023, Andrew Beard was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole. Federal sentences must be served in full, meaning Beard will remain incarcerated until at least the mid-2060s. At that point, he would be in his 70s or older.

He is currently serving his sentence in a federal prison facility operated by the Bureau of Prisons. As of now, the specific facility has not been publicly disclosed, but based on the nature of his conviction—violent federal offenses and cooperation with investigators—he is likely housed in a medium- or high-security prison under strict monitoring.

Legacy of Violence

Andrew Beard’s case is now a textbook example of how domestic disputes and possessive control can escalate to deadly violence. His actions destroyed multiple lives: he took Alyssa Burkett from her family, left their daughter without parents, and ensured his own future would be spent behind bars. His story continues to be studied by law enforcement and victim advocacy groups as part of broader efforts to prevent intimate partner violence before it turns fatal.

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