Early on in the investigation into the disappearance of Madeline Kingsbury, police felt uneasy about what happened to the mother of two. Kingsbury, 26, didn't show up to work on March 31, which caused coworkers and family to be concerned. She was last seen with her children's father, Adam Fravel, 29, that morning, dropping their children off at a Winona, Minnesota, day care in Kingsbury's car. Fravel told police the pair returned home around 8:15 a.m., and he left in her vehicle, a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country, around 10:30 a.m. to run errands. He said he never saw his ex-girlfriend again after that.
In the two months since anyone last heard from her, many have speculated that Fravel had something to do with the case. Police called her disappearance "involuntary and suspicious," but were tight-lipped about details. Fravel claimed he was not involved and cooperated with the police. He continually fought to gain custody of the couple's children after Kingsbury's disappearance, though he previously had no custodial rights. When police found human remains on June 7, they finally arrested Fravel on charges of suspicion of second-degree murder.
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Within days of her disappearance, police announced potentially damning evidence.
During a meeting with the press in early April, Winona Police Chief Tom Williams gave a timeline of the hours leading up to Kingsbury's disappearance. After dropping their children at day care and returning home, Fravel reportedly left home in Kingsbury's van around 10 a.m. and was gone until early afternoon, around 1:30 p.m.
During that time, police say a van similar to Kingsbury's was seen traveling on County Road 12 and Southbound Highway 43 in Winona County. Later that day, police reported seeing the same type of van matching the description on Highway 43 in Filmore County, traveling back to Winona County.
When police searched the couple's home, they found Kingsbury's keys, wallet, and cellphone. They did not believe she left the house on foot.
At the time she disappeared, Kingsbury had broken off her relationship with Fravel and was trying to move out of the apartment they had shared.
Fravel was determined from the beginning to prove he had nothing to do with Kingsbury's disappearance.
Despite suspicious evidence involving the van, Fravel claimed he was innocent. He stayed away from searches for Kingsbury and did not attend press conferences, leading many to believe he was involved. Police named him a person of interest, but not officially a suspect. He released a lengthy statement regarding Kingsbury's disappearance through his attorney Zach Bauer, and news station KARE published it.
The statement read: "Over the course of the last 12 days, my family and I have been subject to a myriad of accusations regarding the disappearance of the mother of my children, Maddi Kingsbury. During these last 12 days, I have cooperated with law enforcement at every turn, including sitting down for multiple interviews with Winona County law enforcement. I did not have anything to do with Maddi's disappearance. I want the mother of my 5-year-old and 2-year-old to be found and brought home safely.
"I want that more than anything. Law enforcement advised me on April 2 that they would not recommend that I attend the press conferences or that I assist in the searches due to safety concerns. However, my non-attendance and silence has been inferred by many as a sign of apathy, or worse. That could not be further from the truth. I want Maddi home and for her to be able to be with our two children. God Bless the Kingsbury family and please bring her home safely."
At the time, Bauer said his client's story was consistent, and he believed Fravel was innocent.
Fravel was not given custody of the couple's children after their mother's disappearance.
Fravel appeared in court on May 15, attempting to gain custody of his children, 5-year-old Elliana and 2-year-old Noah. Kingsbury had full custody of the children at the time of her disappearance. After Kingsbury was officially declared missing, they were placed in the care of Kingsbury's parents, a move that Fravel felt was unfair.
In May, his attorneys argued that because of a history with her parents, they might tell the children untrue or damaging things about their father. A judge determined that was not the case and kept the children in the care of their grandparents until June 6.
The Lacrosse Tribune reported a judge heard the case Wednesday, refusing to give custody to Fravel. The next day, he was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Kingsbury's family kept hope she would be found alive.
For more than two months, Kingsbury's family updated social media regularly with information about her and breaks in the case. Her sister, Megan Kingsbury, often acted as a spokesperson for the family. A $50,000 reward was offered for clues leading to the missing woman, whose 27th birthday was June 1.
The Facebook group Light the way home with prayers for Madeline Kingsbury brought together thousands who hoped the young mother would be found alive.
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The city gave few details during a press conference on June 8.
Many hoped for answers regarding Fravel's arrest and charges against him, but law enforcement didn't say much. Public Information Officer at Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Bonney Bowman told the media at the beginning of the press conference that there would be no comment on any charges or charging decisions in the case, but said that they would release more information as the investigation goes on.
Winona Police Chief Tom Williams confirmed the sad news that after an autopsy, remains found Wednesday in Filmore County were positively identified as Kingsbury. Loud cries rang out in the background, and Williams paused to allow a moment of grief.
"Unfortunately, while this discovery is not what we were hoping for, we are thankful to be able to bring Maddi home to her family," Williams said.
He explained that a Filmore County investigator found her body in a remote area off Highway 43 North of Mabel. Contrary to rumors circulating on social media, investigators found her body on public property, not property owned by members of Fravel's family. Many asked questions about Fravel and his involvement but they were not answered. Williams said that the investigation is ongoing and active.
Fravel is currently in the Winona County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder, reported KARE.
