229: Twisted Obsession: How a Love Triangle Turned Deadly | The Murder of Alyssa Burkett
Serialously with Annie Elise
Deep Dive
Why did Alyssa Burkett become a target for a deadly attack?
Alyssa Burkett became a target because her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Beard, and his fiancée, Holly Elkins, were determined to gain full custody of their daughter, Willow. Alyssa had recently won primary custody, which fueled Andrew's rage and Holly's manipulation, leading to the deadly plot.
Why did Andrew Beard initially appear uninvolved in Alyssa's murder?
Multiple witnesses reported seeing a black man commit the murder, and Andrew Beard is white. Additionally, he was calm and cooperative when questioned by the police, and he had an alibi provided by his fiancée, Holly Elkins, who claimed he was with her the entire morning.
Why did Holly Elkins play a crucial role in the murder plot?
Holly Elkins was the mastermind behind the plot. She wanted full custody of Willow and to be the only mother figure, which led her to manipulate Andrew into killing Alyssa. Holly planned every detail, from buying the black SUV to suggesting Andrew wear blackface.
Why did the police find evidence that linked Andrew to the murder?
The police found a hidden GPS tracker in Alyssa's car and a GPS charger in Andrew's home. They also discovered a dark shade of makeup, a fake beard, and bloodstained items in the black SUV. DNA tests confirmed that the blood was Alyssa's and the beard belonged to Andrew.
Why did Holly Elkins disappear after Andrew's arrest?
Holly Elkins disappeared because she feared being implicated in the murder. She fled to Michigan, where she started a new life, but was eventually arrested at Miami International Airport after returning from a vacation in the Dominican Republic.
Why did Holly Elkins receive a harsher sentence than Andrew Beard?
Holly Elkins received two full life sentences with no chance of parole, while Andrew received 43 years. This disparity might be due to Holly being the mastermind behind the plot and Andrew's plea deal, which included his full confession and cooperation with the police.
Why did Alyssa Burkett set up a GoFundMe for her legal fees?
Alyssa set up a GoFundMe to help cover the legal fees for her custody battle with Andrew Beard. The battle was financially draining and stressful, and she needed support to continue fighting for her rights as Willow's primary caregiver.
Why did the police initially search Alyssa's car for drugs?
The police searched Alyssa's car after receiving a tip from a person named Frank Morrow, who claimed she was selling drugs out of her car. This was a setup orchestrated by Holly and Andrew to frame Alyssa.
Why did the police find multiple phones and a burner phone at Andrew's house?
The police found multiple phones, including a burner phone, with incriminating search terms and a script identical to the one used by Frank Morrow to report Alyssa for selling drugs. This evidence suggested that Andrew and Holly were involved in framing Alyssa.
Why did Andrew Beard turn himself in after the murder?
Andrew Beard turned himself in on October 5th, just a few days after the murder. He may have turned himself in due to pressure from the investigation or to strengthen his alibi, but he eventually confessed and pled guilty to the crime.
- Alyssa Burkett was murdered outside her workplace.
- The attacker was described as a medium-built black man.
- The attack happened quickly, preventing witnesses from providing full details.
Shownotes Transcript