Beard Pleads Guilty to 2018 Murder of Andrea Washington

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Danny Beard has pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder in the 2018 killing of Andrea Washington. Per terms of the negotiated agreement, Beard will be sentenced to 30 years in Florida State Prison with a 25-year minimum mandatory. The Honorable Mark Borello will sentence Beard at a July 7, 2023, hearing.

On Sept. 17, 2018, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a Northside residence in response to a death investigation. Upon arrival, they located the victim, Andrea Washington, in her living room dead from several gunshots. Beard is Washington’s ex-boyfriend who had documented history of domestic violence, which resulted in an active temporary injunction for protection preventing contact. Earlier that month, Washington said Beard assaulted her, kicked in a door, pointed a gun at her, and threatened to kill her. Beard and a witness told police they found Washington dead after he received a text from Washington saying she was being followed and needed help.

The initial investigation revealed Washington’s home surveillance equipment had been removed and her cellphone was missing. A baseball cap and three .25-caliber rounds were recovered at the scene. Further investigation revealed Beard had access to the surveillance equipment, the cap belonged to him, and ammunition of the same caliber and manufacturer were found at his home. Cellphone, internet, and security data all indicated Beard was at Washington’s home at the time of the murder.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Dan Skinner and Cameron French.