NEED TO KNOW
- Adam Beckerink was charged with murder in connection with the 2024 death of his wife, Caitlin Tracey
- Tracey died after falling more than 20 stories down a stairwell in a Chicago condo building where Beckerink lived
- Prior to the murder charge, Beckerink pleaded no contest to domestic violence charges in Michigan
The husband of a woman found dead in the stairwell of a Chicago high-rise is facing a murder charge in connection with her death.
Caitlin Tracey was found at the bottom of the stairwell of the condo building where her estranged husband, Adam Beckerink, lived in the South Loop in October 2024, according to ABC 7. She allegedly fell 24 stories.
One year later, Beckerink is now charged with first-degree murder in connection with Tracey’s death, according to a criminal complaint obtained by CBS Chicago, WGN and ABC 7.
The complaint alleges that Beckerink threw Tracey over a railing on Oct. 25, 2024, per the reports. Her body was found two days later, per CBS.
ABC, citing Chicago police, reported that Beckerink reported Tracey missing the day before she was found dead, claiming he hadn’t seen her in weeks.
Jail records indicate that Beckerink is currently behind bars in Berrien County, Mich. ABC 7 reported that in August, he pleaded no contest to domestic violence charges. He was sentenced to 93 days in jail.
In addition to the domestic violence charges, Berrien County jail records now indicate that Beckerink is also being held on a fugitive warrant filed in Cook County, Ill.
Beckerink has not yet entered a plea to the reported murder charge in Illinois.
In July, Fox 32 reported that a Michigan judge had ruled that police bodycam footage and a 911 call made by Tracey were admissible in the domestic violence case against Beckerink.
The Daily Mail reported that it obtained a copy of a 911 call, during which Tracey allegedly said, “He’s assaulted me before.”
Beckerink is still in custody in Michigan and has not entered a plea to the murder charge in Illinois.
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At his sentencing hearing in Michigan, ABC reported that Beckerink told the court he missed his wife.
“I did lose my wife, and I’ve been unable to grieve for her,” he reportedly said. “I miss my wife every day. I love her more than anything.”
Following the murder charge against Beckerink, Tracey’s family issued a statement, reported by CBS and ABC.
“We dearly miss Caitlin as do her friends,” her family reportedly said, in part. “Our family hopes that during the murder case against Adam Beckerink, that the truth about the last months of Caitlin’s life and the events leading to her tragic death are revealed, so our wonderful daughter can finally be laid to rest.”
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