A Minnesota man convicted of first-degree murder will be sentenced Tuesday for killing his girlfriend, Madeline Kingsbury, whose disappearance in 2023 captivated national attention and led to a massive volunteer search effort.
Adam Fravel, 30, was found guilty in November of premeditated murder and three related charges after prosecutors argued he killed Kingsbury when she attempted to leave their relationship.
Kingsbury’s Disappearance and Search Efforts
Madeline Kingsbury, 26, vanished in March 2023 after dropping off her and Fravel’s two young children at daycare in Winona, Minnesota—a small city in the southeastern part of the state. Her sudden disappearance prompted weeks of community efforts, with thousands of volunteers joining the search.
Days after her body was found in a wooded area near a property owned by Fravel’s parents, authorities arrested Fravel in June 2023. Kingsbury’s remains were discovered in a culvert along a gravel road, wrapped in a gray fitted bed sheet sealed with black Gorilla tape.
Details of the Crime and Trial
During the trial, prosecutors revealed chilling details of Kingsbury’s death, with evidence suggesting she was strangled with a towel and asphyxiated. Items like the towel, tape, and bed sheet were linked back to the couple’s home, where Kingsbury and Fravel lived with their children.
Prosecutor Phil Prokopowicz told jurors that Kingsbury had been planning to leave Fravel for another man after enduring what witnesses described as alleged abusive behavior. “The relationship was never about them. It was always about him,” Prokopowicz said in his closing statement.
Friends testified about seeing bruises on Kingsbury’s neck and hearing about prior incidents of violence. One witness recounted being on a video call with Kingsbury when Fravel allegedly struck her. Another said Kingsbury shared that Fravel had ominously warned she could “end up like Gabby Petito,” referencing the high-profile 2021 case in which Petito was murdered by her boyfriend.
Defense’s Arguments Fall Short
Fravel, who did not take the stand in his defense, maintained his innocence through his attorney, Zach Bauer. Bauer criticized the investigation as relying on “tunnel vision, revisionist history, and secret truths.” He argued that there was no evidence of a struggle in the couple’s home and cited a neighbor’s testimony that they never heard arguments between Fravel and Kingsbury.
However, the jury rejected the defense’s claims, convicting Fravel on all charges, including first-degree premeditated murder—a charge that carries a mandatory life sentence.
Sentencing Scheduled Back in Winona
While the trial was moved to Mankato due to extensive pretrial publicity, Fravel’s sentencing will take place in Winona under District Judge Nancy Buytendorp. The case, which has drawn both local and national attention, highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence and its tragic consequences.
Fravel’s conviction ensures that Kingsbury’s story ends with justice, but her death leaves behind two young children and a grieving family who fought tirelessly for answers.
