48 Hours “The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett” June 6 Preview
48 Hours revisits one of Texas’ most disturbing custody-dispute murder cases with “The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett,” airing Saturday, June 6, 2026, on CBS. The episode examines how a bitter fight over a young child escalated into an elaborate campaign of harassment, deception, and ultimately murder.
Alyssa Burkett was a 24-year-old mother living in Carrollton, Texas, when her life became entangled in a contentious custody battle with Andrew Beard, the father of her young daughter. Friends and family described Alyssa as devoted to her child and focused on building a future for them both. However, tensions between Alyssa and Beard had been growing for years as they fought over parental rights and custody arrangements.
On the morning of October 2, 2020, Alyssa arrived at work expecting a normal day. Instead, she was ambushed in the parking lot. Authorities said Andrew Beard attacked her as she sat inside her vehicle. After shooting her through the driver’s side window, Beard continued the assault when Alyssa attempted to escape. Prosecutors later revealed that she was stabbed and slashed dozens of times during the brutal attack. Despite emergency efforts, Alyssa died from her injuries.
Investigators quickly focused on Beard due to the ongoing custody dispute and evidence linking him to the crime. As detectives dug deeper, however, they uncovered a much larger conspiracy involving Beard’s fiancée, Holly Elkins.
According to prosecutors, Elkins became obsessed with the idea of raising Alyssa’s daughter alongside Beard. Evidence presented in court showed that Elkins and Beard spent months trying to destroy Alyssa’s reputation and influence custody proceedings. Authorities alleged they filed false police reports, planted drugs and firearms in Alyssa’s vehicle, installed a GPS tracker on her car, and staged incidents designed to make Alyssa appear dangerous and unstable.
Investigators uncovered evidence that Elkins even injured herself and attempted to blame Alyssa’s family for an assault. Prosecutors argued that these efforts were part of a calculated plan to remove Alyssa from the child’s life permanently. When those schemes failed to produce the desired results in family court, authorities say the conspiracy turned deadly.
The investigation revealed thousands of messages, extensive planning, and a coordinated effort between Beard and Elkins. Prosecutors described the plot as a campaign fueled by jealousy, obsession, and a desire to gain complete control over the child at the center of the custody battle.
The case ended with significant prison sentences for both conspirators. In 2022, Andrew Beard pleaded guilty to federal charges including cyberstalking resulting in death and using a firearm during a violent crime. He received a sentence of 43 years in federal prison. Holly Elkins was also convicted for her role in orchestrating the plot and received a lengthy federal prison sentence.
“The Plot to Eliminate Alyssa Burkett” examines the evidence that exposed the conspiracy, the warning signs that emerged before the murder, and the devastating impact Alyssa’s death had on her family. Through interviews with investigators, prosecutors, and loved ones, 48 Hours explores how an acrimonious custody dispute evolved into a calculated murder plot that shocked North Texas.
