Adam Fravel was convicted last month of murdering his ex-partner and mother of his two children. (Photo by Denise Lana)
By Denise Lana,
Adam Fravel spoke briefly during his sentencing hearing Dec. 17. Fravel was convicted last month of murdering his ex-partner and mother of his two children. (Photo by Denise Lana)
A man convicted last month of killing his ex-partner and the mother of his two young children was sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Winona County Courthouse in Winona, Minnesota.
Adam Fravel, age 30, formerly of Winona and Mabel, Minnesota, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder in the death of 26-year-old Madeline Kingsbury, who disappeared March 31, 2023, from the Winona residence she shared with Fravel. Her remains were found in culvert located between Choice and Mabel almost 70 days later. Fravel was arrested for Kingsbury’s death the same day her body was found. A history of domestic violence between Fravel and Kingsbury came to light during the investigation and subsequent trial, and prosecutors believe Fravel killed Kingsbury because she was leaving the relationship.
Thousands of volunteers helped during the first search for Kingsbury in early April — dozens of searches were conducted throughout Winona and Fillmore Counties over the subsequent months. A deputy with the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office ultimately discovered Kingsbury’s body beneath brush and logs in a culvert near 198th Street south of Choice — about 5 miles from the Fravel family farm. The body was wrapped in a grey fitted bedsheet and secured with black tape. A medical examiner later noted a towel had been wrapped around her head and neck in a slipknot, and the death was determined to be a homicide, specifically asphyxiation. Investigators said the towel, sheet and tape were consistent with items that would have been in Kingsbury and Fravel’s home.
“Without law enforcement and the thousands of volunteers, Madeline would still be in that culvert — deep in a culvert — at the edge of the of a dead-end road,” Kingsbury’s father said.
Judge Nancy Buytendorp spoke on the topic of domestic violence before formally annoucing Fravel’s sentence.
“We mourn the loss of Maddi Kingsbury, a life taken too soon by an act of unimaginable cruelty,” Buytendorp said. “In this case, the greatest impact is on the two young children, who have lost both their mother and their father. Their suffering is a powerful reminder of the far-reaching effects of domestic violence.“
Buytendorp went on to tell Fravel he must deal with the consequences off his actions, having not only taken the life of his children’s mother but also his children’s sense of stability and of security.
“They will carry the burden of this tragedy for the rest of their lives. Their futures are forever changes by your actions,” said the judge. “Your sentence will reflect the seriousness of your crime — actions do have consequences.”
Kingsbury’s friends and family members were given the opportunity to make statements on the record during last week’s sentencing hearing. Krista Hultgren, Kingsbury’s mother, was the first to do so. She faced Fravel as she spoke, referring to him only as the defendant, rather than by his name.
“The defendant didn’t own the right to end her life … he could have stopped, but he didn’t. He could have treated her like the extraordinary person she was, but he didn’t,” Hultgren said. “And their children — the only thing they will know is what kind of deplorable human being he turned out to be.”
Kingsbury’s stepsister, Holly Waterston, told the court her three young daughters loved their Aunt Maddi. She also said the young trio are now fearful each day that they could be hurt like their aunt was, and they often seek reassurance they are safe.
“I tell my daughters monsters aren’t real, they don’t live under our beds, but nothing prepared me to comfort my nephew — who will never be able to see, hear or hug his mommy — his monster and his father are one in the same,” Waterston said.
Kingsbury’s father David said he must remind himself each morning that his youngest daughter is still dead. He told the court he looked forward to text messages from her — he said Kingsbury was listed as “The World’s Greatest Kid” in his phone.
“She truly was,” he said. “I will always love you, the apple of my eye.”
Megan Hancock, Kingsbury’s older sister, was the last person Kingsbury texted before her phone went silent and she went missing in March of last year. Hancock had immediately reached out to anyone she could for assistance with finding her sister, posting daily updates online and serving as a sort of family spokesperson throughout the ordeal. She indicated to the court she and other family members wre at something of a loss for words as they attempted to explain to Kingsbury’s children that their mother was dead and that home will no longer be the same for them.
After investigators discovered Kingsbury’s body in the culvert, Hancock and her father arrived at the scene, and Hancock told the court they remained with Kingsbury’s body as it was transported to a funeral home.
“How could I say goodbye, watching my father collapse on her, singing ‘You are My Sunshine’ to her one last time?” Hancock asked during her statement last week. “How can I tell you how much of her was already gone as I was holding her hand through the body bag — holding her hand until the end, helping to guide her into the incinerator, because we refused to let her go it alone?”
Kingsbury’s stepmother, Kathy Kingsbury, said Kingsbury’s two children are doing well, despite the family’s loss. However, she did say the children have often awoken in the middle of the night crying and asking for mommy — she added “There are no pleas for daddy.”
“Her children are happy and thriving — they are young and resilient,” Kingsbury’s stepmother said. “But they belong in the arms of their mother. We can’t get her back and she can’t be with her precious children.”
While Fravel was found guilty of four charges at his trial, he was only sentenced on the most severe charge — murder in the first degree — and the three remaining charges were vacated. The judge asked Fravel whether he had any questions or a statement to make before the hearing was complete. Fravel, who had been sitting back in his chair for a majority of the hearing, leaned into the nearby microphone, glanced at the cameras present in the courtroom and spoke three words.
“No, I’m good,” he said.
Fravel was then remanded into custody and court was adjourned.
Kingsbury’s brother, Steven Kingsbury, was not able to attend the sentencing, but his prepared statement was shared with the court.
“The verdict in this case brings about some closure, but it’s a hollow term,” he wrote. “I submit in the end, all will be judged accordingly. Truth and right have prevailed regardless of obstacle.”
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I believe you better go back and review your statement. So many incorrect details that you added and telling the public false comments you created. Facts are facts. Don’t dramatize for your benefit.