Chicago Woman Found Dead with Severed Foot in Husband’s Condo a Day After Being Reported Missing, Husband Released Without Charges
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A Chicago man has been released without charges after the tragic death of his wife, Caitlin Walch Tracey, 36, who was found “pulverized” in the stairwell of his South Loop condo on October 27. Tracey’s husband, Adam Beckerink, 46, had reported her missing a day earlier.
Her body was discovered by the condo building manager after a resident reported finding a severed foot in the stairwell. According to court documents, the Chicago Police Department detained Beckerink for 48 hours but released him without filing charges.
Officials said, “Based on the condition of the remains,” they determined Tracey had “fallen approximately 24 floors,” causing her body to be “pulverized” and her foot severed. In a statement to the Daily Mail, the Chicago Police Department confirmed: “An unidentified adult female was found unresponsive at the bottom of the stairs at a residence at the above location.
She was pronounced on scene. Detectives are conducting a death investigation, pending autopsy results.” The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting the autopsy, and no one is currently in custody.
Tracey’s death has sparked a legal battle over the custody of her remains. Her parents, Andrew, and Dr. Monica Tracey, accused Beckerink of a “campaign of abuse and terror” against their daughter and argued for custody of her body.
To support their claim, they presented a rescinded petition Tracey had filed with Cook County Court weeks before her death. The October 4, 2023 petition sought a restraining order against Beckerink, detailing alleged abuse.
In the document obtained by the Daily Mail, Tracey accused Beckerink of multiple attacks, including one incident where he allegedly “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 later withdrew the petition. This week, Judge Brian Berger ruled that Tracey’s remains would be released to her parents rather than Beckerink, her husband of six months. “We are incredibly grateful for Judge Berger’s expedited decision,” the family’s attorney, Mitt Drew, said in a statement.
“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.” The investigation into Tracey’s death remains ongoing.
