Texan Winifred “Fred” Burkle, was a brilliant physicist and mathematician. In 1996, she was sucked into a dimensional portal to Pylea, Lorne’s home world, which was opened by Fred’s jealous college professor, Dr. Seidel. For five years she was a slave, which took a serious toll on her social skills, as well as her mental health. In Pylea to save Cordelia, Angel met Fred and brought her back to L.A. Fred found the transition to her new life difficult at first, but soon learned to live a normal life.

Her knowledge of physics and mathematics made her an excellent asset to Angel Investigations, and she found romance with Charles Gunn. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she was also the object of affection of Wesley Wyndham-Price, who nobly stepped aside and gave Gunn his blessing. Their relationship broke up after Gunn killed Dr. Seidel, to stop Fred from doing so.

After joining Wolfram & Hart Fred got her own laboratory and became the head of the Science Division. After knocking back her colleague, Knox, Fred finally returned Wesley’s feelings - but the couple’s happiness was not to last. One day a mysterious sarcophagus, allowed through customs by a signature from Gunn, appeared in the lab. As Fred examined it a large cloud of dust exploded into her face. The sarcophagus was a holding cell for Illyria, one of the ancient demons predestined to rise again. The dust Fred inhaled was actually Illyria’s essence, which immediately began a parasitic like existence in her body, eating away at it and making her a shell. Worse still, Knox had worshipped Illyria for years and worked at Wolfram & Hart for the sole purpose of bringing her back. Because of his affections for Fred, he “chose” her as the only one worthy to house his god.

Angel and Spike traveled to England to find a cure for Fred, and Wesley remained in Fred’s bedroom with her, comforting her as she fought bravely but slowly began to die. Angel learned that the only way to save Fred would be to release Illyria’s essence on the rest of the world and decided not to help Fred, knowing the consequences would be too high. Fred died in Wesley’s arms.