Texas father disguised himself as Black man to kill daughter’s mother two days after losing custody
DALLAS, TEXAS: A White man allegedly disguised himself as a Black man by wearing makeup before murdering the mother of his daughter, police said. Andrew Charles Beard reportedly handed himself over to police last Monday, October 5, in the Dallas suburb of Carrollton after an arrest warrant was issued against him in connection to the murder of Alyssa Burkett. He was charged with murder. According to reports, the incident happened on October 2 morning when the 24-year-old woman was at work, where she was allegedly shot in the head and stabbed repeatedly in her torso and arms. In an affidavit obtained by The Dallas Morning News, police said they found Burkett on the front steps of the main entrance of Greentree Apartments in the 1100 block of Mac Arthur Drive, where she was the manager. Police also suggested that Beard allegedly disguised himself as the Black man to carry out the crime. Also, some witnesses told police that they saw a Black man attacking Burkett.
The 33-year-old alleged attacker parked his car outside the front office of the complex and fired at the driver’s side of the victim’s car, a witness said as per the warrant. While some other witnesses described the suspect as a 6 feet tall man, who weighed between 150 and 170 pounds, the affidavit stated, adding the man was wearing all black clothing and a face covering. Police also found two bottles of dark brown liquid foundation makeup and partially burned makeup wipes with brown residue, according to the affidavit.
In addition, investigators discovered a tracking device while searching Burkett’s car. They also found another tracking device under the victim’s current boyfriend’s car. A few more similar devices were found at Beard’s home during the search. As per the affidavit, police were told by Burkett’s mother, her boyfriend, and a colleague that she had told them how scared she was that Beard might kill her amid the bitter custody battle. The woman had also reportedly created a GoFundMe page on September 4 in the hope to get some financial help in the custody battle. She wrote on the page: “It has been made clear this man will do whatever it takes to cut me out of the picture and I’m worried that what is coming next will be worse,” The Carrollton Leader reported.
Burkett was given full custody of her daughter on September 30, just two days before she was allegedly killed by Beard. The accused has now been held at Dallas County Jail on a $1 million bail. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been launched to financially help Burkett’s family for her funeral. “This beautiful young mothers life was taken way to early this morning around 9:00. Willow was the pride and joy of her mom Alyssa life and to know she will have to grow without her mom is just heart breaking. She had a GoFundMe going a few weeks back to raise money due to ongoing custody battle for Willow. She stated in her gofund me that she was in fear for her life. Now we are raising money to bury her as she was murdered this morning. Whomever did this wanted her dead as they chased her to make sure she the deed was done. PLEASE consider helping this family lay their beautiful baby to rest,” the message on the page read.