Adam Beckerink, a prominent Chicago tax attorney, is facing intense scrutiny and allegations of domestic abuse following the violent death of his wife, Caitlin Walch Tracey. The 39-year-old woman was discovered on October 27, 2023, in the stairwell of Beckerink's luxury South Loop condominium. Her body was described as being in a "pulverised" state, with one of her feet missing, according to the Daily Mail. Despite being initially detained by police, Beckerink was released after 48 hours without charges, leaving many questions unanswered about the events leading to Caitlin's death.
A Relationship Plagued by Abuse and Isolation
Caitlin's parents, Andrew and Monica Tracey, have painted a harrowing picture of their daughter's relationship with Beckerink, alleging it was marked by manipulation, isolation, and violence. They claim Beckerink systematically alienated Caitlin from her family and subjected her to repeated physical and psychological abuse. According to the Chicago Tribune, Andrew Tracey described Beckerink as a man who "targeted our daughter and manipulated her into a life of fear."
The couple began dating in October 2022, and despite a turbulent relationship, they married in a private ceremony on April 8, 2023. None of Caitlin's family members attended the wedding. Her parents allege this isolation was part of Beckerink's strategy to control her. "We begged her not to marry him," said Monica Tracey, adding that Caitlin "kept insisting he would change."
A Chilling Campaign of Abuse
Caitlin filed a restraining order against Beckerink on October 4, 2023, outlining three harrowing incidents of physical violence. In one instance, Caitlin recounted that on July 11, 2023, Beckerink attacked her at her Michigan home. "He threw a pickle jar at my head, punched me, pulled my hair, and stripped me out of my clothes," she wrote in the filing, which was reviewed by the Daily Mail.
Caitlin further alleged that Beckerink poured vodka on her wounds, which caused severe burning, and threatened to hit her with the bottle. She described escaping on foot before he later took her to the hospital for treatment.
A second incident occurred on August 21, 2023, at Beckerink's South Loop apartment, where Caitlin claimed he verbally abused her before physically assaulting her. In her court filing, she described being "dragged by the ankle, strangled, and slammed against a cabinet." According to the Chicago Tribune, Caitlin also stated that Beckerink confiscated her phone, keys, and wallet to prevent her from leaving or seeking help.
The third alleged attack took place on September 20, 2023, at the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago. Caitlin wrote that Beckerink attempted a sexual assault and berated her for hours. She later reported the incident to police, filing a report for domestic battery.
A Family Fighting for Justice
After Caitlin's death, her parents launched legal proceedings to block Beckerink from controlling her remains, accusing him of orchestrating a "campaign of terror" that led to her demise. They stated that Caitlin had confided in them about the abuse, describing how Beckerink often called her up to 20 times a day, issuing threats or verbal abuse.
Her parents' filing included evidence of Caitlin's attempts to seek protection. However, the ABA Journal reported that Caitlin withdrew her petition for a restraining order after Beckerink allegedly threatened her with a lawsuit for defamation.
The legal battle over Caitlin's remains has highlighted deep rifts between the Tracey family and Beckerink, with both sides presenting starkly different narratives. Monica Tracey described her daughter's final months as "a nightmare," accusing Beckerink of "deliberately destroying her confidence and isolating her completely."
An Ongoing Investigation
Despite the allegations, Beckerink has not been charged in connection to Caitlin's death. Chicago police have confirmed that the case remains under investigation. A spokesperson stated, "Detectives are conducting a death investigation, pending autopsy results. No one is in custody at this time."
The discovery of Caitlin's body, which a building manager stumbled upon after a resident reported finding a severed foot in the stairwell, has added to the case's horrific nature. According to the Daily Mail, police initially detained Beckerink for questioning but later released him.
Professional Fallout for Beckerink
In the wake of the allegations, Beckerink's career has been upended. Duane Morris, the law firm where he was a partner, swiftly terminated his partnership after the details emerged. According to the ABA Journal, the firm stated, "This is a shocking and tragic case. We were unaware of the allegations until recent media reports. Adam is no longer associated with our firm."
His attorney, Todd Pugh, has defended him, stating, "Caitlin was the love of Adam's life. Her family has not had contact with her for months. Adam wanted to honour her memory and include her family in arrangements, but their recent legal filings have made that impossible."
