Hosted by Kendall Rae
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
This episode examines the October 2020 murder of 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett by her ex-partner, Andrew Beard, and his new fiancée, Holly Elkins. After a bitter custody dispute over their young daughter, Andrew and Holly concocted an elaborate, diabolical murder plot that included staging a false drug arrest against Alyssa and using blackface and a disguise to frame a Black man. The host details the extensive digital and physical evidence left behind by the perpetrators, Andrew's subsequent confession and attempt to shift the blame to Holly, and the eventual federal convictions and life sentences handed down to both individuals.
Kendall Rae introduces the episode and thanks listeners for joining.
The host details Alyssa’s birth, family, and personality traits that made her a beloved mother.
Rae discusses Alyssa’s pregnancy, her decision to raise her daughter alone, and her return to college.
The episode explains the toxic relationship with Andrew, their custody battles, and the escalating danger Alyssa felt.
Rae narrates the brutal attack on October 2, detailing the shooting, stabbing, and witnesses’ descriptions.
Police find a GPS tracker on Alyssa’s car and a fake blackface beard in Andrew’s vehicle, linking him to the crime.
Andrew is arrested, pleads guilty to federal charges, and admits the murder was part of a custody‑driven plot.
Rae reveals Andrew’s claim that Holly orchestrated the murder to secure full custody of the child.
The episode concludes with the legal fallout, Andrew’s sentencing, and the emotional impact on Alyssa’s loved ones.
Andrew confesses to the murder and details Holly’s stalking and false police reports.
Holly files a false police report accusing Alyssa’s mom of attacking her to gain custody.
Alyssa was ambushed outside her apartment complex office, shot in the head, and then brutally stabbed when she attempted to escape.
Staged Drug Reportstrategy
A month before the murder, a fake 911 call led police to search Alyssa's car, where planted drugs and a scratched-off firearm were discovered.
Blatant Evidence Left Behindinsight
Investigators found the getaway vehicle, a fake beard with dark makeup, and Alyssa's blood parked less than a mile from Andrew's house.
Police recovered foundation makeup and a fake beard in the diaper bag, proving Andrew committed the murder in blackface to frame someone else.
The Mastermind Accusationdebate
After pleading guilty, Andrew confessed to the murder but claimed Holly was the puppet master who orchestrated the entire scheme.
Quick Guilty Verdictstory
Despite her not-guilty plea, a jury took only 90 minutes to convict Holly Elkins after reviewing her purchases and search history.
“It's so diabolical and just mind-blowing that they actually thought this would work.”
“But they described Alyssa as someone who loved eating turkey legs at a state fair and was still figuring life out.”
“Yet, despite being shot in the head, she somehow survived.”
“Andrew Beard was in blackface when he killed his ex.”
“I think that's pretty clear, is exactly what she meant, right? And clearly, he was.”
“She searched if it was legal to track someone's car, whether a person must admit to calling 911 anonymously, and whether someone could avoid going to court by obtaining a psychiatrist note.”
“Holly's trial went on for a week, and despite her defense attorney's attempts to distance her from the plot, it only took the jury 90 minutes to find her guilty.”
“And I think that's so beautiful.”
On October 2nd, 2020, 24-year-old mother Alyssa Burkett was brutally murdered outside her workplace in Carrollton, Texas. Alyssa had been involved in a bitter custody battle with her ex-boyfriend over their young daughter, but the investigation into her death would uncover something far more disturbing… a campaign of stalking, false accusations and a dangerous obsession. National DV Hotline Call 1-800-799-7233 | Text START to 88788 | Chat:https://www.thehotline.org Deaf Hotline (for Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing survivors) Video phone: 1-855-812-1001 love is respect (dating abuse support for teens & young adults) Call 1-866-331-9474 | Text LOVEIS to 22522 | Chat:https://www.loveisrespect.org StrongHearts Native Helpline (Native American & Alaska Native survivors) Call or text 1-844-762-8483 | Chat:https://strongheartshelpline.org RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline Call 1-800-656-4673 | Text HOPE to 64673 | Chat:https://rainn.org/hotline https://rainn.org/hotlinem/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUlxb01IYWZTWkdyejRaWE45NnM5ckJNajQtWHxBSTVJdTV2RWNwX0U3bWlsQzNjSVh5bTBrQ2hDblV5dkh4RUpiczE2TXpKUlgyUnR2MWFFajJsb3gxMjBsSDhMVjdmSDFlTGNfQzZxSnVHLTkxMkFwYVdCbXhrTEZhSGM2ZmZZ&q=https%3A%2F%2Frainn.org%2Fhotline&v=UdRoEbpRWRw This episode is sponsored by: Primal Queen: Our listeners get a FREE MONTH of Primal Queen plus FOUR FREE GIFTS at PrimalQueen.com/TCKR http://primalqueen.com/TCKR. #ad Knix: Head to knix.com/ACOTAR http://knix.com/ACOTAR to shop the new ACOTAR Knix collection. And use code TCKR to save 15%. Wayfair: Join Wayfair Rewards today to get five percent back on every purchase. Head to wayfair.com http://wayfair.com to shop all things home. Salt & Stone: Go to saltandstone.com/TCKR https://www.saltandstone.com/en-gb/collections/best-sellers?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast_15off&utm_content=worldsfirstpodcast and use code TCKR at checkout for 15% off your first order. Embark: Go to embarkvet.com http://embarkvet.com and use code TCKR for $10 off the Breed + Health Test Check out my foundation: Higher Hope Foundation: https://www.higherhope.org/ Watch my documentaries: 530 Days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjUWkmOjNLk Apartment 801: https://bit.ly/2RJ9XXr True Crime with Kendall Rae podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3rks84o Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3jC66pr Shop my Merch! https://kendallrae.shop https://kendallrae.shop/ Check out my other podcasts: Mile Higher (True Crime) @milehigherpod YouTube: https://bit.ly/2ROzJcw Instagram: http://instagram.com/milehigherpod The Sesh (Current events, a little true crime, pop culture, and commentary) https://bit.ly/3Mtoz4X @the_seshpodcast Instagram: https://bit.ly/3a9t6Xr *Follow My Social!* @KendallRaeOnyt Instagram: http://instagram.com/kendallraeonyt Facebook: https://bit.ly/3kar4NK True Crime TikTok: https://bit.ly/3VDbc77 Personal TikTok: https://bit.ly/41hmRKg REQUESTS: General case suggestion form: https://zfrmz.com/yg9cuiWjUe2QY3hSC2V0 Form for people directly related/close to the victim: https://zfrmz.com/HGu2hZso42aHxARt1i67 Join my discord to chat with other viewers about this video, it’s free! https://discord.com/invite/an4stY9BCN C O N T A C T: For Business Inquiries - [email protected] Send me mail: Kendall Rae 8547 E Arapahoe Rd Ste J #233 Greenwood Village, CO 80112
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