Father hid behind dark make-up to shoot his ex

A bitter custody battle ended in bloodshed when mum-of-one Alyssa Ann Burkett was attacked, but her killer wasn’t all he seemed

- GAIL SHORTLAND

While Alyssa Ann Burkett had moved on from her relationship and was trying to build a new life, she couldn’t escape her past. It was 2020 and Alyssa, 24, was involved in a protracted legal battle with her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Charles Beard, over custody of their one-year-old daughter.

Convinced Beard was trying to manipulate the legal proceedings, Alyssa, who was in a new relationship, was afraid of losing her little girl. She had even posted a public fundraising page to cover her legal fees. She described being taken to court several times by her ex during the previous year in his attempt to gain custody. She also accused him of breaking a court order and not returning their daughter.

“At this point, I’m scared for my life and my daughter’s life,” she wrote.

On 2 September, someone who called himself Frank Marrow tipped off authorities, alleging that Alyssa was selling drugs from the trunk of her car. “Frank” told them to check the spare tyre. Officers followed up the lead and after a search, sure enough, they found drugs including cocaine and marijuana along with a pistol and ammunition right where he had said. The serial number was scratched off the gun so it couldn’t be traced.

Alyssa was in disbelief. She strongly denied knowing anything about the findings and accused Beard of planting the drugs and the weapon. She was convinced that Beard was trying to discredit her, but she also couldn’t explain why he always seemed to know where she was. Officers investigated her allegation and Alyssa wasn’t charged.

Then on 30 September, Alyssa was awarded custody of her daughter. It should have been a huge relief but was it really the end of the acrimony?