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Who Is Holly Elkins & Where Is She Now? 2025 Update & Background

by · December 12, 2025

Holly Ann Elkins is the Texas woman convicted of helping her fiancé, Andrew Beard, plan and carry out the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend, Alyssa Burkett. The case shocked the nation not only because of the savagery of the crime, but also due to Elkins’ extensive and deliberate involvement. Once viewed as a possible witness, she was later revealed to be a driving force behind the attack.

Elkins was in her early 30s when she began a relationship with Andrew Beard in April 2020. The relationship progressed quickly, with Elkins spending time with Beard’s daughter—Alyssa’s child—and soon shopping for engagement rings. According to prosecutors, Elkins expressed a deep desire to replace Alyssa as both partner and mother, viewing her as an obstacle to the life she wanted with Beard.

From Jealousy to Criminal Conspiracy

Soon after moving into Beard’s home, Elkins initiated a months-long campaign against Alyssa. She falsely accused Alyssa’s mother of assault, scratched her own chest to support the lie, and made fake 911 calls under false names. She worked closely with Beard to install a GPS tracker on Alyssa’s vehicle and attempted to have her arrested by planting drugs and a gun in her car.

Elkins used inflammatory language in texts, referring to Alyssa as a “garbage s*** mom” and pressuring Beard to cut ties. In one message, sent just a week before the murder, she wrote, “I hope you handle it. I’m not coming home to bulls***.” The prosecution described Elkins as the “puppet master” who pushed Beard to commit murder.

She purchased items used in the crime, including dark makeup for Beard to disguise himself and a knife used in the stabbing. She also accompanied him to buy .410 shotgun shells. On the day of the killing, Elkins stayed at home with Alyssa’s daughter in an attempt to create an alibi, later lying to investigators by saying Beard was home with her that morning.

Arrest and Prosecution

Elkins was not immediately arrested following Alyssa’s death. She voluntarily spoke with Carrollton police just days after the murder, portraying herself as shocked and cooperative. She claimed Beard had been home and denied any involvement. At the time, investigators hoped she might serve as a helpful witness.

That perception changed after Beard’s guilty plea in 2022. During his interviews with the FBI, he described how Elkins had laid out the plan in detail. He said she told him exactly how to commit the murder and pushed him into taking action. His cooperation helped build a case against Elkins.

In July 2023, nearly three years after the crime, Elkins was arrested at Miami International Airport upon returning from the Dominican Republic. She was charged with conspiracy to stalk, stalking with a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Trial and Sentencing

Elkins went on trial in April 2024 at the federal courthouse in Dallas. The evidence against her was overwhelming—text messages, surveillance footage, purchase records, and testimony from both Beard and investigators. The jury deliberated for only 90 minutes before finding her guilty on all charges.

On August 15, 2024, U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle sentenced Elkins to two consecutive life terms in federal prison. The judge cited the premeditated nature of her actions and the emotional and physical manipulation she used to orchestrate the murder.

Where Is Holly Elkins Now?

Holly Elkins is currently serving her sentence in the federal prison system, likely at a high-security facility given the severity of her crimes and life sentence. Federal inmates serving life without parole remain incarcerated for the rest of their natural lives, with no eligibility for early release.

As of now, her specific prison location has not been publicly released by the Bureau of Prisons. However, her incarceration is expected to remain permanent. She will never be eligible for parole or release.

A Calculated Partner in Crime

The case of Holly Elkins stands as a stark reminder of how coercion, manipulation, and obsession can lead to unspeakable acts of violence. While Andrew Beard carried out the physical murder, Elkins was the architect—strategically pushing each step forward. Prosecutors and investigators remain convinced that without her influence, Alyssa Burkett would still be alive.

Elkins’ conviction ensures she will spend the rest of her life behind bars, offering a small measure of justice to the family left behind. Her actions cost a young woman her life and left a child without a mother—a tragedy that cannot be undone.

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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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