Chicago Attorney Indicted for 2024 Murder of Wife at South Loop Condo

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A 47-year-old Chicago tax attorney has been indicted by a grand jury for the 2024 murder of his 36-year-old wife, Caitlin Tracey, at their South Loop condo building. Prosecutors are seeking to compel the defendant, Adam Beckerink, to submit a DNA sample under a 2011 Illinois law that requires those indicted for qualifying offenses like murder to provide genetic material for law enforcement databases.

Why it matters

This case highlights the use of a rarely invoked Illinois law that allows prosecutors to collect DNA samples from those indicted but not yet convicted of certain serious crimes. The ACLU has previously opposed such laws, arguing they violate privacy rights. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how this law is applied going forward.

The details

Beckerink is accused of throwing his wife Caitlin Tracey over the railing of their 24th floor South Loop condo in October 2024. Prosecutors say Beckerink's DNA was found on a door handle to the stairwell outside the couple's unit, from where Tracey allegedly fell. They also revealed that a victim's advocate testified to the grand jury that Tracey had told her a month before her death that Beckerink had "threatened to throw her over the stairs."

• In October 2024, Caitlin Tracey fell from the 24th floor of the couple's South Loop condo building.
• On February 4, 2026, Adam Beckerink was indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Beckerink's next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 19, where his case will be assigned to a trial judge for arraignment, where the defendant will enter a formal plea to the charge.