Adam Fravel Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Murder of Madeline Kingsbury

Adam Fravel has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release for the premeditated murder of 26-year-old Madeline Kingsbury, his former partner and the mother of his two children. The sentencing was handed down in a Winona County courtroom after an emotional hearing in which Kingsbury's family described the immense grief caused by her death.

Fravel was found guilty last month of first-degree murder and other charges following a trial that shed light on his troubled relationship with Kingsbury. Under Minnesota state law, his life sentence was mandatory.

Madeline Kingsbury, a beloved mother, daughter, and sister, disappeared on March 31, 2023, after she and Fravel dropped their children off at daycare. Her disappearance drew national attention and led to a massive search that lasted over two months. Eventually, her remains were discovered in a culvert near Fravel’s parents’ home in Fillmore County. A medical examiner confirmed she died of homicidal violence.

Court documents revealed that Fravel and Kingsbury were separating and preparing to move out of their shared Winona home in the days leading up to her death. Investigators tied key evidence, including a bed sheet and Gorilla tape used to wrap Kingsbury's body, to the home where she and Fravel lived.

At the sentencing, Kingsbury’s family shared heartbreaking victim impact statements, painting a picture of a life tragically stolen and the profound impact on her children and loved ones.

Krista Hultgren, Madeline’s mother, spoke about the abuse her daughter endured at Fravel’s hands and the irreplaceable void left by her death.

“[Fravel] could’ve treated Madeline like the extraordinary person she was, but he didn’t,” Hultgren said. “He could’ve given Maddi and the kids a good life, but he didn’t. Instead, he made her feel unlovable and snuffed the life out of her.”

Hultgren reflected on Madeline’s youngest child, who was barely two years old and had just weaned from nursing when her mother disappeared. Her older daughter had celebrated her fifth birthday only days before.

“I will never understand why Adam took Madeline’s life. There will never be an answer to satisfy that question,” Hultgren said, adding that while Fravel’s sentence brings no joy, it is “just.”

Madeline’s father, David Kingsbury, who now raises her children alongside his wife Cathy, shared the daily pain of losing his daughter.

“Each morning, my mind painfully adjusts to the realization that it’s not just a bad dream,” he said. “Madeline is still really dead and Adam Fravel killed her.”

Fravel was given the opportunity to speak before his sentence was imposed but continued to maintain his innocence. “I never caused harm to Maddi and I am innocent. Thank you,” he stated.

Despite his denial, family members made it clear that Fravel’s actions had left them permanently scarred. Megan Kingsbury Hancock, Madeline’s sister, addressed Fravel directly, vowing that her family would carry on Madeline’s memory.

“Madeline will forever be remembered and loved,” Hancock said. “Her children will know who their mother is and was. They will also know, when they are old enough, what happened to her and that their father is the monster who took her from them.”

Kingsbury’s light, Hancock added, “will never be extinguished.”

The sentencing concludes a tragic case that has left an unshakable mark on Kingsbury’s family and community.

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