illinois Adam Becklink has been formally charged with first-degree murder of his late wife, Keltin Tracyfollowing her death in October 2024.
On Tuesday, January 13, Chicago police announced formal charges against Becklink, 47, more than a year after Tracy was found dead at the bottom of a stairwell at Becklink’s South Loop apartment building.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed that Tracy’s cause of death was injuries sustained from a fall from an unknown height.
According to ABC 7 Chicago, a police report said the investigation revealed that Becklink threw Tracy down a stairwell 29 flights of stairs, ultimately killing her.
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Becklink previously served time in Berrien County, Michigan, after being convicted of domestic violence stemming from a separate incident with Tracy. He was sentenced to 93 days in jail in October 2025 on domestic violence and contempt of court charges, ABC 7 Chicago reported.
Becklink was arrested after being released from a Michigan prison and extradited back to Chicago on Monday, January 12, so that he could answer the new charges.
He now faces a first-degree murder charge, as well as a second charge of murder with probable cause of death.
The hearing on January 13 was brief and lawyers requested that the bail hearing be postponed until Friday, January 16. He is currently being held in the Cook County Jail until a bond hearing.
After the hearing, Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke said Becklink was arrested by Chicago police “following a lengthy and complex investigation.”
O’Neill Burke added: “The couple has a history of domestic violence incidents in both Chicago and New Buffalo, Michigan.”
Tracy’s family also released a statement after the hearing. “Our family is deeply grateful to Cook County State’s Attorney Erin O’Neill Burke and her team, as well as the Chicago Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit,” the family said. “CPD has worked hard to investigate this case for a long time.”
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“While the defendant’s criminal conviction and sentence in Michigan brought a measure of justice to Caitlin, this man must now be held accountable for his actions in the days and months leading up to this moment: the state charged him with the murder of our beautiful daughter,” the family continued. “We hope justice is served and we can finally lay our dear Caitlin to rest.”
Before Becklink received new charges, Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling “The detective department invested hours, days and months investigating this matter to make sure they brought someone to justice by prosecuting this individual,” told ABC 7 Chicago.
“Sometimes, these things are lengthy,” Snelling continued of the investigation. “They take a little time, and you have to do a lot of digging to make sure you get the right evidence and build a strong case.”
There was no immediate response from the Chicago Police Department. US WeeklyRequest for comment.
Before Tracy’s death, a protective order was obtained against Becklink in November 2023 after filing multiple domestic violence reports with Chicago police, Fox 32 Chicago reported. However, she withdrew the order in December that year after she claimed he threatened to sue her for libel.
