Adam Fravel Learns Fate For Murder Of His Girlfriend Madeline Kingsbury

A Minnesota jury convicted a man Thursday of killing his girlfriend, whose 2023 disappearance drew national attention and spurred thousands to join the search before her body was found in a rural area of the state.

The jury convicted 30-year-old Adam Fravel of first-degree murder and other charges in less than a day for the death of Madeline Kingsbury. Authorities arrested Fravel in June 2023, shortly after deputies found the 26-year-old’s body in a wooded area near his parents’ property.

He was convicted of first-degree murder while committing domestic abuse with a history of domestic violence, first-degree premeditated murder, and two counts of second-degree murder.

Jurors delivered their verdict before a full courtroom, where members of Kingsbury’s and Fravel’s families watched. Some in the gallery burst into tears as the verdict was announced, MPR News reported.

The trial focused on conflicting accounts of the couple’s home life and the police investigation ultimately leading to Fravel’s arrest.

Phil Prokopowicz, a special prosecutor for the Winona County Attorney’s Office, built his case using testimony from family and friends of the couple who described alleged instances of domestic abuse, the outlet reported.

Newsweek reached out to the Winona County Attorney’s Office, however, they have not yet responded.

Witnesses testified they saw bruises on Kingsbury’s neck, and one friend said she was on FaceTime with Kingsbury when Fravel allegedly hit her. Another friend testified Kingsbury told her Fravel had warned her she could end up like Gabby Petito, a woman killed by her boyfriend in the high-profile 2021 case.

Prosecutors and other witnesses said Kingsbury had planned to leave Fravel after growing frustrated with his alleged abusive behavior and inadequate contributions to their family. They alleged Fravel responded by killing her.

Zach Bauer, Fravel’s attorney, argued no signs of a physical struggle appeared inside the couple’s home, challenging the claim Kingsbury died there. Bauer also presented testimony from a neighbor who claimed to have seen an unknown person waving at him from the home on the morning Kingsbury disappeared.

Newsweek reached out to both Prokopowicz and Bauer regarding the conviction, however, they have not yet responded.

What Happened to Madeline Kingsbury?

Witnesses last saw Kingsbury with Fravel as they dropped off their children, ages 2 and 5, at a daycare center in Winona, Minnesota. Fravel told investigators Kingsbury went out alone around 10 a.m. on March 31 and he hadn’t heard from her since.

In April of 2023, Kingsbury’s family told a local media outlet, despite their broken relationship, the couple was still living together while Kingsbury searched for a new home.

Fravel issued a statement through his attorney in April saying:

“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.”

Winona Police Department said in a statement on Facebook: “A Fillmore County deputy found human remains on Wednesday afternoon north of Mabel, Minnesota. The body was found in some brush off Highway 43 and was located using information generated during the Madeline Kingsbury investigation. Because of this, law enforcement personnel have arrested Adam Fravel on probable cause in connection to her disappearance.”

Police discovered Kingsbury’s body wrapped in a gray fitted bed sheet secured with black Gorilla tape. Prokopowicz said she was strangled with a towel, and a medical examiner determined she likely died from asphyxiation. He added the towel, bedsheet, and tape matched items found in their Winona home.

When is Adam Fravel’s Sentencing?

Fravel’s attorneys requested a change of venue, and a judge granted it, moving the trial to Mankato, Minnesota, about 136 miles from Winona.

A first-degree murder conviction is the most serious type of homicide charge. It generally involves premeditation, meaning the defendant planned the killing in advance, and malice aforethought, indicating the intent to cause death or serious harm.

A conviction typically results in the most severe penalties, including a long prison sentence or the death penalty, depending on the state’s laws.

Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911, so the maximum penalty for first-degree murder is life in prison. While the state no longer has a “capital punishment” option, a conviction still carries the harshest penalties permitted by law.

The court will sentence Fravel on December 17.

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