Madeline Kingsbury’s ex-boyfriend will learn his fate today for killing the young mother after she dropped their children off at daycare.
Adam Fravel, 30, who had dated Kingsbury, was immediately suspected in connection to her disappearance after she vanished on March 31, 2023.
Following a huge search and rescue mission, her remains were found on June 7 of that year in a remote area near the home where Fravel was raised in Mabel, Minnesota.
Kingsbury’s lifeless body was wrapped in a fitted sheet and sealed with Gorilla tape that matched tape found at her ex’s home.
Fravel and Kingsbury had split up but were still living together at the time of her disappearance. He was the last person to see her alive and was arrested on murder charges when her body was found.
A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree murder with a past pattern of domestic abuse, second-degree murder with intent and second-degree murder while committing a felony in November.
On Tuesday afternoon, he is expected in court in southern Minnesota for his sentencing as he faces being jailed for life for the slaying of Kingsbury.
A Winona County jury deliberated for 10 hours before determining the guilt of Fravel – who has maintained his innocence.
Madeline Kingsbury, 26, disappeared on March 31, 2023, after dropping off their then five-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son at daycare. Her body was found on June 7 of that year in a remote area
On Tuesday afternoon, her ex-boyfriend Adam Fravel, 30, is expected to learn his fate after being found guilty of murdering her last month
‘It’s a pyrrhic victory,’ Kingsbury’s father, David, said after the verdict was reached. ‘We’re not going to get Madeline back. Fravel can’t be punished enough.’
Prosecutors said Fravel was jealous because Kingsbury was leaving him for another man.
When she was killed, she was in the process of looking for a new place to live.
The murderer was believed to be concerned because he was financially dependent on her.
The late mother’s family and friends testified against Fravel, citing his track record of domestic abuse – including the time he grabbed her neck and said he could make her suffer the same tragic fate of Gabby Petito, who was killed by her fiancé Brian Laundrie in 2021.
Petito disappeared while on a cross-country road trip with Laundrie, 23.
After returning back home to Florida without her, Petito’s body was found on the edge of Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, as a warrant was issued for Laundrie.
His remains were then found at a campsite weeks later, following an apparent suicide. He left behind a notebook that held his confession to killing Petito, according to FBI reports.
When she was killed, she was in the process of looking for a new place to live. The murderer was believed to be concerned because he was financially dependent on her. (Pictured: Kingsbury and her daughter)
In the criminal complaint, Fravel also admitted to being ‘infatuated’ with Petito’s case, as his attorney, Zach Bauer attempted to play this off as a joke.
The prosecutor soon determined that Fravel’s interest in Petito’s case demonstrated his violent habits.
Kingsbury’s father told the court he encouraged his daughter to report the Petito incident to the police, but she never did.
After it happened, Kingsbury and her children stayed with her parents.
The criminal complaint against the father indicated that the Gorilla tape used on top of the sheet, wrapped around her body, matched one found at their home.
The color and width were the same, and gray pillow cases matching the fitted sheet were also found on an air mattress in their home, the complaint stated.
The criminal complaint also revealed video evidence of Fravel switching out the license plate on Kingsbury’s van the day she disappeared.
The video reportedly showed the van pulling out of the home and driving away with plates typically attached to a vehicle Fravel drives.
Her family and friends testified, citing Fravel’s track record of domestic abuse – including the time he grabbed her neck and said he could make her suffer the same tragic fate of Gabby Petito. (PIctured: Fravel with their kids)
The van was then caught driving on Highway 43 in the same area where Kingsbury’s body was found two months later.
Police say there was a 45-minute gap in Fravel’s timeline and that they believe that is the time the ex-boyfriend used to dump the body.
In an unprecedented turn of events, Fravel’s lawyers argued for his trial to take place outside of Winona County, where the case unfolded, due to the high volume of public interest.
‘The court is now asking many of those same individuals to be jurors in a case where either they, or people they know, invested time and/or money in the search for Mr. Fravel’s alleged victim,’ attorney Zachary Bauer previously wrote in a motion earlier this year.
Police say there was a 45-minute gap in Fravel’s timeline and that they believe that is the time the ex-boyfriend used to dump Kingsbury’s body
Ultimately, Fravel’s trial remained in Winona as tears were shed from loved ones of the couple as District Judge Nancy Buytendorp read the final verdict.
There were more than 150 witnesses involved in the case, including Kingsbury’s family members. They were not allowed in the courtroom until they were called to testify.
Bauer told The Minnesota Star Tribune, ‘it’s been a disappointing day,’ adding he believes Fravel will appeal the verdict.
Kingbury’s two children, aged two and five, now live with their grandparents.
To honor Kingsbury, her family started a foundation in her name to continue sharing her story.
