Latest news with #AdamBeckerink
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Frightening footage of lawyer being arrested just before wife was found 'pulverized' to death in his apartment
Disturbing footage has emerged of a Chicago lawyer being detained for alleged domestic abuse against his wife less than three months before she was found dead at his luxury apartment building. Caitlin Walch Tracey, 36, known to her friends as 'CT', was found 'pulverized' and missing a foot in the stairwell of her husband Adam P Beckerink's high-rise in South Loop on October 27. Beckerink, 46, a high-flying tax attorney, previously faced domestic abuse allegations from Tracey, but he has not been charged in connection with her death. Police bodycam footage showing his arrest on August 19 aired this week as his abuse case began at Berrien County court, located in Tracey's home state of Michigan. Beckerink's screams that day rang out through the courtroom as video showed him being held to the ground by police officers. The attorney wailed for help while a tearful Tracey sat rigidly on a bed close by. Tracey made the 911 call which sparked the arrest - something which a New Buffalo police officer told the court happened several times. Beckerink watched the video play while sitting just feet away from his heartbroken in-laws, who previously won a fight against him for custody of their daughter's body. Beckerink wailed for help in the footage as his alleged victim, Caitlin Tracey, sat rigidly on a bed close by in tears. Tracey is shown on the bed in the footage in the screenshot above Berrien County Prosecutor Amy Byrd said the police bodycam is a key means of telling Tracey's alleged abuse story. She successfully argued against Beckerink's lawyers to allow it to be shared in court. 'We seek justice in all of our domestic violence cases, regardless of whether a victim is able or willing to come forward and testify,' Byrd told the court. 'Obviously, in this case, our victim is unable, due to tragedy, to come forward.' Beckerink's lawyers argued that Tracey told the New Buffalo officer that they, 'did not have consent to come in the house' on the night of the arrest. Tracey died from 'multiple injuries' after falling approximately 24 floors at her husband's condo on October 27, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. Chicago cops rushed to the scene and detained Beckerink, who had reported Tracey missing the day before. They released him after 48 hours without filing any charges. In the weeks that followed, Tracey's heartbroken parents, retired real estate developer Andrew Tracey, 69, and college professor Dr Monica Tracey, 65, battled against Beckerink for custody of their daughter's remains. Beckerink, a former partner of international law firm Duane Morris who had been married to Tracey for six months, argued that he had the rights to her body as the surviving spouse. But as court documents obtained by the Daily Mail reveal, her family hit back on November 6, accusing him of wreaking a 'campaign of abuse and terror' against their daughter during her final months. The alleged torture includes throwing a glass pickle jar at her head and pouring vodka on her wounds. According to the Traceys, their daughter had been in a relationship with Beckerink from October 2022 until September 2023, but the couple never lived together or had children. At some point after September, they got back together, and married in a private ceremony on April 8, 2024 which did not involve any of Tracey's relatives. Amid the acrimonious wrangling for control of her body, her parents accused Beckerink of 'manipulating' their daughter, of 'purposefully isolating her from her family' and being responsible for her 'tragic and highly suspicious death'. To support their argument, the Michigan-based family presented a since-rescinded petition Tracey made to Cook County Court a year before she died in a desperate attempt to obtain a restraining order against her husband. In her October 4, 2023 filing, Tracey detailed three examples of horrific attacks by the tax attorney. Tracey said that on July 11, 2023, at around 3pm, Beckerink stripped her naked and attacked her at her three-story home in New Buffalo on the banks of Lake Michigan, where her parents said she lived to be close to them and away from her partner. '(Beckerink) physically abused me by throwing a pickle jar, which struck me on my head, punching me, pushing me, pulling my hair, dragging me by my clothes, and stripping me out of my clothes,' Tracey wrote in the petition seen by the Daily Mail. '(He) also poured Vodka on my body, which burned my wounds, and would motion as if he was going to hit me with the alcohol bottle'. Tracey said she managed to escape on foot, before her husband later took her to hospital for treatment to an 'open head wound'. In a second alleged incident on August 21, 2023, Tracey once again only narrowly escaped a brutal attack by her husband, this time at his plush apartment in Chicago's Grand Luxury Condos where she was later found dead. At around 8am they had an argument, and Beckerink began launching a foul-mouthed tirade of abuse against his partner, according to her filing. Tracey alleges he 'verbally abused' her by calling her a 'cheater', a 'wh***', a 'piece of s***, 'liar' and a 'b****' before escalating to a physical assault. '(He) physically abused me by dragging me by my ankle, strangling me, suffocating me, slamming my head against a cabinet, slapping me, punching me, putting my head in a headlock, and dragging me away from the door to prevent me from leaving' Tracey wrote in her petition. He then allegedly stole her 'keys, wallet, iPad and phone' to prevent her from leaving or seeking help. Tracey said she escaped again by 'fleeing on foot', this time to the nearest police station. Cops went to Beckerink's apartment but he refused to open the door. Tracey detailed an alleged third incident which unfolded in the room where she was staying at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Chicago's Magnificent Mile neighborhood on September 20, 2023. She said her husband stormed into her room around 5.30pm before hurling abuse at her and this time attempting to 'sexually abuse' her. Tracey did not give context about why she was at the hotel or go into detail about the sexual abuse, but said she filed a police report for domestic battery. Her parents said it was around this time that Tracey temporarily ended her relationship with Beckerink and opened up to them about the alleged violence. In their petition for control of her body, the Traceys said she told them Beckerink had been 'emotionally, psychologically and physically abusive to her' including 'holding her hostage' and 'brutalizing' her so badly she needed medical treatment. She also said he had been trying to contact her 'approximately 20 times a day' either demanding to see her, or to verbally abuse her over the phone. 'I believe if Beckerink knew I was here trying to get an Emergency Order of Protection, he would try and stop me, or I would be at risk of further abuse,' Tracey wrote in her bid for the restraining order. But Tracey's parents said Beckerink found out and threatened to sue her for defamation and libel - so she withdrew her petition 'based on fear'. Though Tracey never secured the restraint, Berrien County Prosecutor's Office charged him on January 13, 2024 with four counts of larceny, interference with electronic communications and domestic violence against Tracey. On August 19, 2024 they added two counts of resisting and obstruction, interference with electronic communications and more counts of domestic violence against Tracey, according to her parents. But the charges came too late for Tracey. Her body was discovered by Beckerink's condo building manager, after a traumatized resident reported finding a severed foot in the stairwell. Cops attended the grisly scene at 7.20pm on October 27, and told the family that 'based on the condition of the remains' they determined that Tracey's body 'fell approximately 24 floors'. Her devastated parents said they were told that 'based on the height of the fall,' their daughter's body was 'pulverized' and 'her foot was severed from her body'. According to a police report, Beckerink was detained and questioned but later released. Tracey's parents said in their petition officers told them at the time that he was the 'primary suspect.' 'An unidentified adult female was found unresponsive at the bottom of the stairs,' Chicago Police told the Daily Mail. 'She was pronounced dead on scene. Detectives are conducting a death investigation, pending autopsy results. 'No one is in custody and there are no updates at this time as the investigation is ongoing.' Tracey's parents are still going through the agonizing process of piecing together their daughter's suffering via Freedom of Information requests to find any further documents she filed with police. But they secured one major victory in late November, when Judge Brian Berger ruled that her remains would be released to them rather than to Beckerink. The Tracey family's attorneys, Mitt Drew and Andrew Cunniff, released statements on their behalf celebrating the judge's decision. 'We are incredibly grateful for Judge Berger's expedited decision,' said Drew, of Butzel Long in Michigan. 'The ruling allows Caitlin's family not only to honor her life with the final services she deserves, but also to grieve appropriately, supporting them in their journey through this difficult time.' 'Today's ruling in Michigan is a critical step in the family's efforts to protect and preserve Caitlin's legacy,' added Cunniff, of Galarnyk and Associates in Chicago. 'The family will continue to fight for Caitlin until she is laid to rest with the respect and dignity she deserves.' The Traceys said they would honor their daughter with a Catholic funeral mass and burial. Duane Morris, the Chicago law firm where Beckerink worked as a partner, told the Daily Mail he had been 'swiftly removed' in response to the abuse allegations. 'This is a shocking and tragic case, and we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Caitlin Tracey,' the firm said. 'Our firm was not aware of the domestic violence and other allegations against Adam Beckerink asserted in various legal proceedings until recent media accounts of her death. 'Once we confirmed key facts, the Partners Board swiftly removed Adam as a partner of Duane Morris LLP. He is no longer associated with our firm. 'This is a tragedy for all involved. Our deepest condolences go to Caitlin Tracey's family. Counseling will be available for Chicago office employees this week. 'Out of respect for the legal process, it is not appropriate for the firm to speculate about the ongoing investigation, other than to say we hope justice will be served and we stand ready to assist if we can be helpful to investigators.'
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Husband of woman found dead in Chicago condo building to appear in court in Michigan
Hearing in Michigan for husband of woman found dead in South Loop condo building Hearing in Michigan for husband of woman found dead in South Loop condo building Hearing in Michigan for husband of woman found dead in South Loop condo building A Chicago man suspected in the death of his estranged wife was due to appear in court in Michigan on Tuesday. The body of Caitlin Tracey was found last October at the bottom of a stairwell in Adam Beckerink's condo building in the South Loop. A tenant found Tracey's severed foot in a stairwell in the condo building on Oct. 27, and police later found her body at the bottom of the stairs. Caitlin Tracey Family Photo She was found dead just a few days before Beckerink was scheduled to face trial on domestic battery charges for two incidents at Tracey's home in New Buffalo last year. At a hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors are expected to ask the court to admit police body camera video of Tracey telling police about Beckerink's physical abuse, because she is not alive to testify. Following Tracey's death, her husband and her parents spent more than two weeks in a custody battle over her remains, before a judge in Michigan allowed her parents to take custody of her body for a funeral and burial. No one has been charged in Tracey's death. In March, Beckerink was arrested on a warrant from Michigan, charged with aggravated assault in Berrien County stemming from incidents at Tracey's home last year.
Fox News
21-05-2025
- Fox News
Tech exec found 'pulverized' in luxury high-rise stairwell died from fall, medical examiner says
The Cook County Medical Examiner in Illinois has revealed the cause of death of a Chicago woman found dead in the stairwell of her husband's luxury, high-rise condo in October 2024, but her manner of death remains undetermined. Caitlin Tracey, 36, died of "multiple injuries, fall from height" on Oct. 27, 2024, the medical examiner ruled. No one has been charged in connection with her death, as FOX 32 Chicago first reported. Court documents filed last year state that "based on the condition of the remains, Decedent's body fell approximately 24 floors before landing at the bottom of a stairwell." Her "body was pulverized and her foot was severed from her body," attorneys for the family wrote. Tracey's husband, Adam Beckerink, 46, was arrested in March on a fugitive charge stemming from a warrant in Michigan, where the well-known tax attorney was wanted on charges of domestic violence, resisting and obstructing and larceny, according to FOX 32. While Beckerink is not charged in connection with Tracey's death, his March arrest has highlighted a tumultuous past. An attorney representing Beckerink did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital. The domestic incident stemmed from two 911 calls made last year in New Buffalo, Michigan, where Tracey and Beckerink lived during and before their six-month marriage, reporting domestic abuse and theft, according to FOX 32. Following her death in October 2024, police held Beckerink for 48 hours but ultimately released him. A legal battle later ensued between Tracey's parents and her husband. Court records revealed that Tracey filed a petition for an order of protection against Beckerink in October 2023. The couple married on April 8, 2024 "in a private ceremony" that did not include their family members, court documents say. Tracey's parents believe Beckerink "manipulated" Tracey "and purposefully isolated her from her family so that he could continue his campaign of abuse and terror unnoticed," attorneys wrote in court documents. "Plaintiffs have alleged that their daughter's partner, who may or may not be her husband, subjected her to ongoing domestic abuse and ultimately took her life," court records state. "Plaintiffs seek to have her remains sent to them to have a funeral and burial." A judge ultimately sided with Tracey's parents, allowing them to receive her remains and give her a funeral. Beckerink in March waived his right to an extradition hearing to face charges in Michigan. It is unclear where that case stands as of Wednesday. GET REAL-TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB Fox News Digital reached out to Chicago police asking if they have any persons of interest in Tracey's death, but they did not comment, directing Fox News Digital to Beckerink's arrest page showing his fugitive charge. Tracey was chief people officer at Nousot, a data analytics company.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Attorney husband of beautiful wife found 'pulverized' in luxury condo arrested - as her cause of death is revealed
The high-flying attorney husband of a beautiful young woman whose body was found 'pulverized' in a luxury Chicago high-rise has been arrested - as medical examiners finally reveal how she died. Caitlin Tracey, 36, died from 'multiple injuries' and a 'fall from height,' according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office - though mystery still shrouds the case as the manner of death remains 'undetermined'. Tracey's body was discovered in the stairwell of her husband's luxury South Loop condominium on October 27, 2024, and the medical examiner's office released it's findings this week after several months of investigations. Her husband, Illinois attorney Adam Beckerink, was arrested months later on March 7, 2025, on a fugitive warrant out of Michigan. However, according to Chicago Police and court records, the arrest is not directly related to his wife's tragic death. He was detained on unrelated domestic violence charges. previously revealed that Tracey's parents, retired real estate tycoon Andrew Tracey, 69, and college professor Dr. Monica Tracey, 65, accused Beckerink of wreaking a secret 'campaign and abuse of terror' against her in her final months. Their claims came as they battled against him for custody of their daughter's remains. Beckerink, a former partner of international law firm Duane Morris who had been married to Tracey for six months, argued that he had the rights to her body as the surviving spouse. But on November 6, her family filed documents accusing him of wreaking a 'campaign of abuse and terror' against their daughter, including allegedly throwing a glass pickle jar at her head and pouring vodka on her wounds. According to the Traceys, their daughter had been in a relationship with Beckerink from October 2022 until September 2023, but the couple never lived together or had children. At some point after September, they got back together, and married in a private ceremony on April 8, 2024, which did not involve any of Tracey's relatives. Amid the wrangling for control of her body, her parents accused Beckerink of 'manipulating' their daughter, of 'purposefully isolating her from her family' and being responsible for her 'tragic and highly suspicious death'. To support their argument, the Michigan-based family presented a since-rescinded petition Tracey made to Cook County Court a year before she died in a desperate attempt to obtain a restraining order against her husband. In her October 4, 2023 filing, Tracey detailed three examples of horrific attacks by the tax attorney. Tracey said that on July 11, 2023, at around 3 pm, Beckerink stripped her naked and attacked her at her three-story home in New Buffalo on the banks of Lake Michigan, where her parents said she lived to be close to them and away from her partner. Though they had a fraught relationship, Tracey split her time between Beckerink's flat and her home in New Buffalo, on the banks of Lake Michigan. Neighbors in the Michigan town opened up about disturbing events which unfolded during her final months, while remembering their beloved friend. Joyce Lantz and Bunny Coyner lived on Tracey's street, and they recalled how scared she was of Beckerink. 'She said, "I felt like he was going to kill me,"',' Lantz told Fox News. Lantz also told the Chicago Tribune that Tracey's house, close to the lake, was 'like something that you'd see in a design magazine'. 'As another woman, you just want to cheer her on, because she's on her own, and built this amazing life,' Lantz said. 'It's just amazing to me how one person can come into your life and change the trajectory in such a major way. It's deeply sad, right? That she's not with us anymore.' Coyner said she met Tracey in the fall of 2023, after Tracey offered to help with DIY around her house. She said Tracey told her, 'I know my way around a drill and some drywall.' Coyner said Tracey invited her for a tour of her home, and mentioned she had taken a temporary restraining order out against an ex-boyfriend. She even described his car and asked Coyner to let her know if she saw it on their street. 'She was a beautiful, intelligent young woman and had a wonderful life ahead of her,' Coyner told the Chicago Tribune. 'I think she was looking forward to maybe getting out of this and searching out a new life, and I wished only the best for her, and she just couldn't do it.' Lantz said that earlier this year, something changed and Tracey seemed to abruptly disappear from their neighborhood. She said she began sending 'cryptic' texts, and they witnessed police cars pull up to her home while she was inside on August 19. Tracey fell down 24 flights of stairs in Beckerink's high rise (pictured) on the 1200 block of Prairie Street in South Loop, severing her foot during the descent This matches with court records seen by which outline how Beckerink was charged with two counts of resisting and obstruction, interference with electronic communications and more counts of domestic violence against Tracey on that date. Lantz and Coyner said when they saw Beckerink being taken away from the home in handcuffs that day, they text Tracey to ask if she wanted her to come over. 'She said yes, which surprised me, honestly, because you know, I felt like she was a pretty independent woman that just handled things on her own,' Lantz told the Chicago Tribune. 'And when I got down there, I walked up the steps to her home, to her front door, I went to hug her … she felt so small and tiny, and honestly, frail. Almost like a shell of what she used to be.' 'We told her she had to get out of it, this was the time to get out of it. You're better than this, you're a wonderful woman, you're beautiful,' Coyner added. In the following days, Tracey told the women she wanted to 'start her life over again here in Michigan' and 'turn that corner', Lantz said. 'I thought she was getting to a point finally where she was going to get back on track, and that makes me feel incredibly sad,' Lantz added. 'I felt like she was hopeful.' She also sent them a text days later - on August 29 - saying: 'Bunny and Joyce - Thank you for being fabulous neighbors. Your support (and space) has meant the world to me. 'I've been to court twice since you were last over and yesterday was tough but moving forward and have a great advocate in the prosecutor's office. 'Now it's time for me to rebuild and move forward with a calmer and healthier life and future relationships.' The women remembered Tracey for her love of travel, dancing, fine wine, fashion, and hosting dinner parties. Lantz also described her as 'such a shining star' who was fashionable, with an 'intelligence that's (also) a humor'. Beckerink's lawyer Todd Pugh said he denies the domestic violence claims. 'There was no physical violence that Adam had directed towards CT,' he told the Chicago Tribune. 'There is no corroboration to any of her claims. There was a layer of emotional volatility to the relationship, but CT enjoyed an incredibly close relationship with Adam's parents and Adam.' Beckerink's disheveled mugshot was unearthed by a FOIA request in November, following from his arrest the day she was found dead. Chicago PD officers initially charged the attorney with disorderly conduct and accused him of making a false report of an offense on October 28, but he was released without charge after questioning. Beckerink appeared with stubble and his hair skewed to one side in the mugshot pictured in his police report. Since Tracey's autopsy results are pending and the investigation into her death is ongoing, police declined to give any further information. The report came after Tracey's parents won custody of her body from Beckerink amid an acrimonious court battle. Beckerink hit back by filing an emergency motion to prevent them from proceeding with her funeral and give him the opportunity to challenge the decision. However, a Cook County judge denied his motion, according to the Chicago Tribune, which allowed them to proceed with the Catholic burial they had planned for their daughter on November 23.
