Introduction to the Case
A Michigan judge on Monday sentenced Adam Beckerink to two years’ probation and 93 days in jail in a domestic violence case. Beckerink’s wife, Caitlin Tracey, 36, was found dead in October 2024 at the bottom of a 20-story stairwell outside her husband’s South Loop condo.
Sentencing and Charges
Beckerink was sentenced in Berrien County, Michigan, for domestic abuse, interfering with Tracey’s cellphone use during an attempted 911 call and contempt of court, according to a media advisory. The 93-day jail terms for the misdemeanor domestic violence and contempt charges will be served at the same time, while the two-year probation term applies to the felony phone interference charge.
Victim Impact Statement
Tracey’s mother, Monica Tracey, gave a victim impact statement in court, describing Beckerink as a “monster” and urging the judge to give him the maximum sentence. “Not long after the defendant pushed his way into Caitlin’s life, we witnessed the constant fear in our daughter,” Monica Tracey said during court Monday. “For over a year, we tried everything we could do to save her from him.”
History of Abuse
Monica Tracey alleged that her daughter had moved back home because she was afraid of Beckerink and trying to distance herself from him. She said her daughter had sought a personal protection order against him and later learned he had threatened legal action in the form of a defamation lawsuit in response. “We are witnesses to the physical and psychological bruises and scars our daughter endured from this defendant,” Monica Tracey said. “In the end, the coercive control he had over her was too great for her. She was lost. We feared for our safety, the safety of our other daughter, our son-in-law and our young grandson.”
Court Proceedings and Plea Deal
In court, Monica Tracey said her family continues to grapple with the emotional toll of what she described as her daughter’s suffering and the lasting trauma caused by Beckerink’s alleged abuse. Beckerink previously pleaded no contest to the domestic violence and interference charges and guilty to contempt of court for violating his bond. As part of the plea deal, his resisting arrest charges were dropped.
Background of the Case
The case stemmed from two 2024 incidents at Caitlin Tracey’s home in New Buffalo, Michigan. In June 2024, a judge ruled that police body-camera footage showing Tracey crying after calling 911 and Beckerink struggling with officers could be shown at trial, but the trial was canceled after Beckerink entered his plea. Tracey was found dead on Oct. 27, 2024, apparently after falling about 20 stories, authorities said.
Aftermath and Custody of Remains
Following her death, Cook County Judge Eve Reilly awarded custody of Tracey’s remains to her parents rather than Beckerink, after a Michigan court issued a similar ruling. Beckerink, a Chicago-based tax attorney who was fired as a partner at Duane Morris LLP after the case became public, attended that November 2024 hearing remotely. Chicago police said he lied in a missing-person report filed hours before his wife’s body was found, claiming he had not seen her for a month. Surveillance footage later showed the couple together the day before her death, authorities said.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Adam Beckerink marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for Caitlin Tracey and her family. The case highlights the severity of domestic violence and the importance of supporting victims and their families. It also underscores the need for the legal system to take a firm stance against perpetrators of domestic abuse.
FAQs
- Q: What were the charges against Adam Beckerink?
A: Beckerink was charged with domestic abuse, interfering with Tracey’s cellphone use during an attempted 911 call, and contempt of court. - Q: What was the sentence given to Adam Beckerink?
A: Beckerink was sentenced to two years’ probation and 93 days in jail. - Q: How did Caitlin Tracey die?
A: Caitlin Tracey was found dead at the bottom of a 20-story stairwell outside her husband’s South Loop condo, apparently after falling about 20 stories. - Q: What was the response of Caitlin Tracey’s mother to the sentencing?
A: Monica Tracey described Beckerink as a “monster” and urged the judge to give him the maximum sentence, highlighting the fear and suffering her daughter endured.
