Adam Beckerink ordered detained before trial for murder of estranged wife Caitlin Tracey in South Loop condo building

The estranged husband of Caitlin Tracey, a Chicago woman found dead at the bottom of a Chicago condo building stairwell, has been ordered to be detained until his trial for murder.

 Adam Beckerink is charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife. 

According to a criminal complaint, Beckerink killed Tracey on Oct. 25, 2024, by "throwing her over the railing of the 24th floor of the east stairwell of 1201 South Prairie Avenue," the South Loop condo building where Beckerink lives.

A tenant found Tracey's severed foot in a stairwell in the condo building two days later, and police later found her body at the bottom of the stairs.

Beckerink had called police the day before to report her missing, according to court records. He was held for questioning for two days, but released without charges in connection to her death.

In court, prosecutors said there was documented and witnessed domestic abuse between the couple, including in Aug. 2023, when she reported that he strangled her and caused her to lose consciousness. At that time, prosecutors said, she told police she was slowly packing her things so she could leave the marriage. Prosecutors said she was able to escape him after a second attempted strangulation, and criminal charges were never filed.

Another documented incident happened at a downtown hotel, prosecutors said, when people heard screams for help from their room and security officers saw Beckerink dragging Tracey by the hair. She had documented injuries but criminal charges were also not filed in that instance.

Before her death, prosecutors said Tracey had filed for an ordered of protection, saying Beckerink was calling her 20 times a day and alleging further abuse at her home in New Buffalo, Michigan. In Oct. 2025, Beckerink pled no contest to a domestic violence charge in Berrien County, Michigan. 

Beckerink was brought back to Chicago from Michigan, where he was serving a 93-day sentence those domestic charges, to stand trial on the murder charge..

Prosecutors argued that on the day of Tracey's alleged murder, while the couple lived together in a South Loop condo, residents on the 11th floor heard something loud hitting metal in the stairwell just before 11:30 p.m. They called the front desk. The next day, prosecutors said Beckerink was seen on video getting a luggage cart, and told the building concierge that Tracey was missing since the night before and hadn't taken her wallet or cell phone. 

Prosecutors said Beckerink called 911 to report her missing, telling police she went for a run and didn't come back. He also allegedly told police he hadn't seen Tracey in over a month because he was in Michigan. Prosecutors said he refused to allow police into the condo and made his report in the hall instead. That day, her severed foot and blood were found in the stairwell and on the railing, and her body was found several floors down shortly after. 

Police arrested Beckerink at that time for filing a false police report, as security footage from the condo building showed him with Tracey even though he hsaid he hadn't seen her. Prosecutors said from there on, he changed his story several times as the investigation continued. 

Beckerink's attorneys argued that there is no surveillance video showing their client doing anything to Tracey, and that no neighbor heard any disturbance on Oct. 25 or 26. They also argued she had drugs in her system, including cocaine, and had a problem with Norco, a prescription painkiller, and Vicodin, and that she was mentally impaired. They claim she took her own life.

The lawyers also argued over DNA found on the door handle and stairwell that was matched to Beckerink. 

The judge ruled the prosecution presented sufficient evidence that Beckerink should be detained, saying police witnessed him abusing his estranged wife, the DNA and Beckerink lying about when he last saw Tracey, among other things, and ordered him held in custody until his trial.

The judge also ordered Beckerink not to have any contact with witnesses in the case. 

He is due back in court on Feb. 3.