Officials: Ex-fiancee helped North Texas man in plot to kill mother of his child

The former fiancee of Andrew Beard, who pled guilty to charges related to the stalking and slaying of his ex-girlfriend in 2020 over custody of their child, was accused by federal authorities of helping plot the killing.

Holly Ann Elkins, 32, faces charges of conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm. According to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Texas, Elkins was arrested Thursday in Miami after being indicted last month.

It was not immediately clear if Elkins has an attorney. She faces up to two life sentences in federal prison if convicted, the attorney’s office said.

Beard’s attorney declined to comment on the development.

Beard, 36, pled guilty in June 2022 to cyberstalking using dangerous weapon resulting in death and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and has begun serving his 43 year sentence in federal prison. Beard still faces a murder charge in Dallas County in connection with the slaying.

Court documents accuse Elkins of using “harassing, intimidating and coercive tactics” along with Beard against Alyssa Burkett, 24, in an effort to remove his child from her mother’s custody.

According to attorney’s office, Elkins allegedly purchased a GPS tracking device to install on Burkett’s vehicle, and reported fabricated criminal offenses she said Burkett committed.

Additionally, Elkins, along with Beard, is accused of allegedly planting illegal drugs and a pistol in the trunk of Burkett’s vehicle in early September 2020, according to court documents. Elkins reportedly sent Beard a picture of Burkett’s license plate, which Beard used when he made a false police report saying Burkett was selling drugs.

About little over a week later, the two allegedly purchased a van together, as well as shotgun shells and a Camillus knife. Elkins is accused of purchasing makeup for Beard’s disguise that he used during the slaying, the attorney’s office said.

Police have suggested in an arrest-warrant affidavit that Beard, who is white, may have disguised himself as a Black man for the attack. Dark liquid foundation and a fake beard with what looked like cosmetics on it were found in cars police believe belonged to Beard.

In plea papers, Beard admitted to shooting Burkett in the head in October 2020 while she sat behind the wheel of her car at a Carrollton apartment complex she managed. She was stabbed 13 times in the upper body as she attempted to get away before she died in the parking lot.

In indictment papers, Elkins is accused of remaining at Beard’s home with the child he had with Burkett, reportedly in an attempt to establish an alibi for him. Beard admitted in plea papers he was trying to gain custody of their daughter who was 1 year old at the time.

The attorney’s office said Elkins falsely told police the Beard was home with her during the time of the slaying.

A spokesperson for the attorney’s office said Elkins will be extradited to Texas.