A Rowlett woman, Holly Ann Elkins, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences for her role in orchestrating the brutal murder of her fiancé's ex-girlfriend.
Elkins was indicted in June 2023 and convicted by a jury in April 2024 of conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence. U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle handed down the sentence.
Elkins' former fiancé, Andrew Beard, had previously pleaded guilty to stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence. He was sentenced to 43 years in federal prison.
According to U.S. Attorney Simonton, Elkins and Beard harassed 24-year-old Alyssa Ann Burkett, Beard's ex-girlfriend, for months before ultimately planning her murder. The harassment included name-calling, filing false police reports, and placing illegal contraband in Burkett's vehicle.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that the perpetrators' relationship began in April 2020, and by May, they were shopping for engagement rings. However, Elkins grew frustrated with Beard's continued association with Burkett and began harassing her. In June 2020, Elkins and Beard placed a GPS tracker on Burkett's vehicle. The following months saw further acts of harassment, including false police reports, hiring a private investigator, and planting drugs and a gun in Burkett's car.
On October 2, 2020, Beard, disguised as a Black man, shot Burkett in the head with a shotgun while she was in her car at her workplace. He then stabbed and slashed her 44 times. Burkett died in front of her office door as her coworkers attempted to render aid.
During the murder, Elkins stayed at Beard's home with Burkett's daughter and later tried to create an alibi by claiming Beard had been with her during the crime. At trial, Burkett's new boyfriend testified that he believed Elkins was the mastermind behind the murder.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Dallas Field Office, the Carrollton Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives' Dallas Field Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gary Tromblay, Rick Calvert, and Ryan Niedermair, with U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle presiding over the trial.
