Crime Stories with Nancy Grace - HEAR IT: Adam Fravel Arrest Warrant for Madeline Kingsbury's Murder

Episode Date: June 9, 2023

On March 31st, 2023 Madeline Kingsbury and her ex-boyfriend, Adam Fravel, drop their two children off at daycare just after 8 a.m. That afternoon, Kingsbury fails to pick up the children from daycare and she's reported missing. On June 7th, police find Kingsbury's body in a culvert off of a public gravel road near a property owned by the Fravel family. Adam Fravel is arrested on suspicion of second degree murder, and currently being held in the Winona County jail. Listen to the full arrest warrant. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an iHeart Podcast. On March 31st, 2023, Madeline Kingsbury and her ex-boyfriend, Adam Fravel, dropped their two children off at daycare just after 8 a.m. This was the last time anyone other than Fravel remembers seeing Madeline Kingsbury. One of Kingsbury's friends called police the night of March 31st, concerned that she had been unable to reach Kingsbury all day long and that it was unusual for her to not be in contact. The friend also alerted police to problems that Kingsbury was having with Fravel. Police reached out to Madeline Kingsbury's father and he confirmed

family had not heard from Madeline. The last contact anyone had with Madeline Kingsbury was at 8 15 a.m. when Kingsbury sent a text message to her sister. After that text, Madeline Kingsbury never replied to or sent a text message to anyone. Police contacted Adam Fravel. He claimed he hadn't seen Kingsbury since earlier in the morning and she was supposed to pick up their children from daycare. When she failed to pick the children up, Fravel picked up the children and took them to his parents' house. A search for Madeline Kingsbury began immediately, with no success until June 7, 2023. A Fillmore County deputy found the body of Madeline Kingsbury. Kingsbury's body was found in

a culvert next to a public gravel road approximately one mile from Highway 43 between Choice and Mabel, Minnesota. The property is near Fravel's parents' home, and it is a property routinely maintained by the Fravel family. Adam Fravel was arrested and is being held in the Winona County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Court documents show what police believe happened to Madeline Kingsbury, and they create an in-depth timeline of events for March 31, 2023. Page 1. State of Minnesota, County of Winona.

District Court, 3rd Judicial District. State of Minnesota Plaintiff v. Adam Taylor Fravel. Date of birth, January 29, 1994. 4-27 County Road 18, Mabel, Minnesota 55954, Defendant. Murder in the second degree. Minnesota Statute 609.19.1 with reference to 609.19.1. Maximum sentence, 40 years in prison. Offense level, felony. Offense date, on or about March 31, 2023. Control number, ICR number 23005385. Charge description, that on or about March 31, 2023 in Winona County, Minnesota,

Adam Taylor Fravel caused the death of a human being with intent to affect the death of that person or another, but without premeditation. Count two. Charge. Murder in the second degree. Minnesota statute 609.19.2 with reference to 609.19.2. Maximum sentence, 40 years in prison. Offense level, felony. Offense date, on or about March 31st, 2023. Control number, ICR number, 23005385. Charge description, dead on or about March 31st, 2023 in Winona County, Minnesota.

Adam Taylor Fravel caused the death of a human being without intent to affect the death of any person while committing or attempting to commit a felony offense other than criminal sexual conduct in the first or second degree with force or violence or drive-by shooting. Page 2. Statement of Probable Cause. 2023 at approximately 8 20 p.m the winona police department was contacted by a person who identified herself as a friend of madeline jane kingsbury date of birth june 1 1996 the friend reported to police that she was concerned with the health and safety of madeline according to the friend madeline had not attempted to contact or communicate with her throughout the day which the friend indicated was unusual the friend was concerned and had gone to Madeline's residence, saw her minivan in the driveway and knocked on the door and no one responded. The friend also told police that she was aware that Madeline was

having issues with her significant other who also lived at the residence. The friend identified the significant other as Adam Fravel. Winona police officers met the friend at Madeline's residence located in Winona, Winona County, Minnesota. An officer knocked on the door of the residence and looked in the windows. No one responded, and the officer did not see anyone inside. Shortly thereafter, officers spoke with Madeline's father on the telephone and learned that her family

had also not had contact with her that day. The father reported that it was uncharacteristic for Madeline not to have contact with family members or friends. A Winona police officer spoke with Adam Taylor Fravel, date of birth January 29, 1994, by telephone. According to Fravel, he had not heard from Madeline since early in the morning that she was supposed to pick up their children at the Winona daycare after she finished working, but she did not. Fravel stated he picked up the children at the daycare and took them to his parents' residence in Maple, Minnesota. Later that evening, officers were able to conduct a welfare check

inside the Winona residence and determined that no one was inside the residence. Law enforcement investigators have spoken with the children's daycare provider who confirmed that both Madeline and Fravel were present when they dropped their children off at daycare on the morning of March 31, 2023 at approximately 8.05 a.m. The daycare provider also stated that Fravel was alone when he picked the children up at the end of the day. On April 1, 2023, law enforcement investigators obtained a search warrant for the Madeline Fravel residence in Winona. The interior of the residence was cluttered, but there did not appear to be overt signs of a struggle. During the search, law enforcement officers located

what investigators later determined to be Madeline's cell phone, jacket, and purse in the residence. Investigators also located a laptop computer that investigators later determined Madeline used to work from home. Investigators later obtained access to the cell phone's databases. It was determined that a text message was sent from the cell phone to Madeline's sister on March 31, 2023 at 8.15 a.m. Investigators noted that there were no subsequent text messages or phone calls sent from Madeline's cell phone. Law enforcement investigators had follow-up

conversations with Adam Fravel on April 1st and April 2nd, 2023. During these conversations, Fravel told investigators that he had met Madeline at college in Winona and that they have had an on-and-off relationship for the past seven years. Fravel stated that they have two children ages 5 and 2. Fravel indicated that Madeline worked from home and in Rochester, Minnesota. Fravel stated Madeline would generally travel to Rochester for work on Mondays and Fridays. Fravel acknowledged that Madeline was the primary income producer for the family, and she would forward him money electronically to pay the family bills.

Fravel acknowledged that recently their relationship was not working, so they decided to separate and were in the process of moving out of their Winona residence. Madeline had been looking at different apartments in the area of moving out of their Winona residence Madeline had been looking at a different apartments in the area for her and her children to live frail indicated that about two weeks ago Madeline had told him that she had begun a relationship with another man but that he did not know how long the relationship had been going on frail stated that on Friday March 31st together, he and Madeline dropped their children off at daycare at around 8 a.m. and they drove home. Once they arrived, Madeline stated that she had an online meeting and afterwards was going to Rochester for work.

He indicated he observed Madeline go downstairs to her home office. Crime Stories with Nancy Grace Page 3 Also during the conversations, Fravel stated he had planned to do property storage runs most of the day. His plan was to travel to his parents' home near Mabel, Minnesota with items he wanted to store at his parents' residence and return to Winona and take items to Midwest Storage located in Winona. Fravel indicated that prior to leaving for Mabel, he had stopped at a gas station near his Winona residence. He said that when he loaded

up Madeline's van, he wasn't really paying attention to what he was loading. Fravel believed he left his residence and began driving the van to Mabel at approximately 10.15 a.m. Fravel continued with the following information. Fravel stated that when he got to Choice, an area in Fillmore County, he started thinking about what he was going to do. He said he looked to the rear in the van and realized the items he had were meant to be stored at the storage unit, not his parents' residence. He turned around in the driveway of a barn in Choice and drove back to his residence in Winona. Fravel believed he arrived at the residence at about 11.30 a.m. and emptied the van at the Madeline Fravel residence. Fravel stated he did not make any stops on his trip to and from choice. When he entered the residence, he did not see Madeline.

He stated he did notice his car was still home and thought that Madeline may have carpooled to Rochester. Fravel stated he remained at the residence for the remainder of the afternoon. During this time, he texted Madeline but never got a response. Eventually, he went downstairs and Madeline was not there. He stated that he texted Madeline regarding picking up the kids and asking about plans for supper. When she did not respond, he decided to pick up the children at daycare and drive them to his parents' residence in Mabel. Also, during the conversations with Fravel,

law enforcement disclosed to Fravel a concerned person's report that Fravel told Madeline that if she did not listen up, that she would end up like Gabby Petito. Fravel admitted being infatuated with Gabby Petito case. Fravel also admitted that he made a statement to Madeline about her ending up like Gabby Petito. Fravel claimed also admitted that he made a statement to Madeline about her ending up like Gabby Petito. Fravel claimed he was trying to make a joke.

The Gabby Petito case made national news. It was the story of a 22-year-old woman who went missing. After extensive searches, Petito's remains were found near a park in Wyoming. It was reported Petito died of strangulation. The media also reported that Petito's fiance claimed responsibility for her death in a notebook. Investigating officers spoke with a friend of Madeline who indicated that sometime in 2020 or 2021, she was on a video call with Madeline who was at her Winona residence. Madeline was standing up, holding one of her

children and cooking dinner. The friend observed Fravel enter the room and yell at Madeline was standing up, holding one of her children and cooking dinner. The friend observed Fravo enter the room and yell at Madeline to keep quiet. Madeline asked Fravo to calm down, and he stated he was not going to calm down and struck Madeline in the face with his hand. It appeared that Fravo was not aware he was being observed on the video call, as when the friend yelled at Fravo over the video call he immediately left the room the friend told investigators that there were several times during video calls that she observed bruises on madeline's face when the friend inquired about the bruises madeline would cover them with her sweater investigators spoke with a family member of madeline's during the conversation

the family member discussed an earlier incident the The family member said she learned Fravel put his hands around Madeline's throat. The family member went with another person to go get Madeline. The family member noted Madeline had a red mark on the side of her neck that day. Pursuant to search warrants, investigating officers conducted forensic extractions on two Apple iPhones believed to belong to Madeline. A review of the forensic extractions of those two phones revealed Kingsbury as the owner and user. There were messages as well as screenshots of messages between Madeline and Fravel dating back numerous years. One screenshot taken on September 21, 2021

contained the following iMessage conversation between the Madeline and Fravel. Maddie, you know I'm not really okay with or over the fact that you put your hand around my neck and pushed me down in front of the kids earlier, so don't. Page 4. Maddie, not okay with it all, but especially with them there. Fravel, you'll adjust. Maddie, the F I will.

Maddie, you do that again without asking me and you can go somewhere else. Fravel, you got it, mother. Maddie, don't patronize me. That crossed a line. Fravel, then mind. Maddie, stop. Law enforcement investigators were able to obtain videos from security cameras and motion detection video devices at multiple residences and businesses located in the Winona neighborhood where Madeline Kingsbury and Adam Fravel resided.

And along the route, Fravel stated he took toward his parents' residence the morning of March 31, 2023. The videos revealed the following events from March 31, 2023. 9.44 a.m. Madeline's van is observed in the driveway of Madeline Fravel residence in Winona. A person in a light-colored coat is observed walking up to the front of the van, bends over, and appears to remove the front license plate on the van. 9.47 a.m. The van is still in the driveway, and the same person is observed kneeling in front of the van and appears to be reinstalling a license plate. 9.55 a.m. A person wearing a light-colored coat or sweatshirt gets into Madeline's van while it's parked in the driveway of the Madeline Fravel residence in Winona. 10 a.m. The van is no longer at the residence.

10.02 a.m. The van is observed parked at the gas station where Fravel said he had gotten gas and a person wearing a light colored jacket and matching the general description of Adam Fravel is observed pumping gas. Investigators also noticed that the license plate on the van matches the license plate registered to the car Fravel normally drives and not the plate registered to the van. Investigating officers noticed that when they observed the van later in the evening on March 31st and on April 1st 2023 the license plates registered to the van were back on the van 10 31 a.m the van is observed backed into the driveway at the Madeline Fravel residence in Winona 11 26 a.m the van is observed driving away from the residence 11 44 am. A van matching the description of Madeline's van is

observed traveling southbound on Highway 43 in the direction of Rushford and Mabel, Minnesota. 1156 a.m. A van matching the description of Madeline's van is observed traveling southbound on Highway 43 in Rushford and in the direction of Mabel. 1159 a.m. A van matching the description of Madeline's van is observed traveling southbound on Highway 43 south of Rushford and in the direction of Choice and Mabel, Minnesota. 12.44 p.m. Approximately 45 minutes later, a van matching the description of Madeline's van is observed on a video from the same location traveling northbound on Highway 43 in the direction of Rushford and Winona. 12.47 p.m. A van matching the description of Madeline's van is observed traveling northbound on page 5.

Highway 43 in Rushford. 1 p.m. A van matching the description of Madeline's van is observed traveling northbound on Highway 43 and turned east onto Winona County Road 12 in the direction of Winona. 1.28 p.m. A van matching the description of Madeline's van is observed in the driveway of Winona. 1.28 p.m., a van matching the description of Madeline's van

is observed in the driveway of her Winona residence. As part of their investigation, law enforcement officers traveled the route Fravel stated he drove on the morning of March 31, 2023. Investigators noted that with the exception of the 45-minute time period between the time he is observed traveling south of Rushford on Highway 43

and later at that same location traveling northbound on highway 43 the times are consistent with normal expected travel times between the locations on june 7th 2023 a deputy with the fillmore county sheriff's office was searching a rural area in fillmore county next to a public gravel road approximately one mile from highway 43 between Choice and Mabel, Minnesota. Investigating officers learned that this property had been routinely maintained by one or more Fravel family members. This property was also near the residence of Fravel's parents. While searching the property, the deputy located human remains in a culvert adjoining the gravel road. The remains had been wrapped in what appeared to be a gray fitted bed sheet that had been closed with black gorilla tape. Investigators noted that

during a previous search of the Madeline Fravel Winona residence, they observed a roll of black gorilla tape that appears to be the same color and width as the tape found on the fitted sheet that Madeline was wrapped in. Investigators also noted that the gray fitted sheet appears to be similar to other bedding at the Winona residence. Additionally, the air mattress from the Winona residence was missing a fitted sheet. On top of the air mattress without a fitted sheet were pillows that had gray pillowcases. The human remains were transferred to Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office in Rochester, Minnesota. The Medical Examiner's Office identified the human remains as Madeline Jane Kingsbury from dental records and tattoos.

The medical examiner noted that a knotted towel had been wrapped around Madeline's head and neck. The Medical Examiner's Office performed an autopsy. A preliminary autopsy report determined the manner and cause of death as homicide and homicidal violence. Please take notice. Pursuant to Minnesota Statute 609.49, intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the court page six signatures and approvals complainant requests that defendant subject to bail or conditions of release be one arrested or that other lawful steps be taken to obtain defendant's

appearance in court or two detained if already in custody pending further proceedings and that said defendant otherwise be dealt with according to law. Complaintant declares under penalty of perjury that everything stated in this document is true and correct. Complaintant Thomas J. Williams, Chief, 201 West 3rd Street, Winona, Minnesota 55987, badge number 123, electronically signed June 9, 2023, 10.03 a.m., Winona County, Minnesota. Being authorized to prosecute the offenses 2023, 10.03 a.m. Winona County, Minnesota. Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this complaint. Prosecuting attorney, Karen Sonneman, Winona County Attorney, 171 West 3rd Street, Winona, Minnesota, 55987.

Electronically signed June 9, 2023, 10.02 a.m. This is an iHeart Podcast.