The Minnesota man accused of killing the mother of his children after telling her she would “end up like Gabby Petito” now faces life in prison.
Adam Fravel, 30, was found guilty of the 2023 murder of his ex-girlfriend Madeline Kingsbury, 26.
The mother of two disappeared from the small town of Winona last year on March 31 after dropping her children off at daycare. Fravel was immediately suspected in connection with her disappearance.
After an extensive search, Kingsbury’s body was discovered wrapped in a gray sheet sealed with Gorilla tape on the side of a road on June 7, 2023.
Fravel and Kingsbury had separated 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.
Madeline Kingsbury, 26, was murdered last year by her jealous ex-boyfriend and father of her children.
Adam Fravel, 30, was found guilty of Kingbury’s death on Thursday and now faces life in prison.
The Winona County jury speculated for about 10 hours before making their final decision in court Thursday. He was charged with four counts of murder, Minnesota’s star tribune reported.
“It’s a Pyrrhic victory,” Kingsbury’s father, David, said after the verdict. ‘We’re not getting Madeline back. Fravel cannot be punished enough.
Prosecutors said Fravel was jealous that Kingsbury was leaving him for another man.
When she was killed, she was looking for a new place to live. The killer was believed to be worried because he was financially dependent on her.
The late mother’s family and friends testified against Fravel, citing his history of domestic abuse, including the time he grabbed her by the neck and said he could make her suffer the same tragic fate as Petito, who was murdered by her fiancé Brian Laundrie in 2021.
Fravel’s trial began on October 7 and he maintained his innocence throughout the process.
Shortly after Kingsbury’s disappearance, Fravel was immediately suspected of having been involved, as he was the last to see her alive.
In the criminal complaint, Fravel – who has maintained his innocence throughout the trial – also admitted to being ‘infatuated’ with Petito’s case.
Fravel’s attorney, Zach Bauer, tried to take this threat as a joke, but the prosecutor said it demonstrated his violent habits.
Kingsbury’s father told the court that he encouraged his daughter to report the Petito incident to police, but she never did. After it happened, Kingsbury and her children stayed with her parents.
The criminal complaint also revealed video evidence of Fravel changing the license plate on Kingsbury’s truck on the day of her disappearance.
The video reportedly shows the van leaving the house and driving away with plates that are normally attached to a vehicle Fravel drives.
Mother of two’s disappearance in March 2023 shocked her small Minnesota community
Kingsbury reportedly suffered several instances of domestic violence from her ex-boyfriend.
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 they believe that’s when the ex-boyfriend used to dispose of the body.
Loved ones of Fravel and Kingsbury shed tears as Winona County District Judge Nancy Buytendorp read the final verdict.
Bauer told the Minnesota Star Tribune that “it’s been a disappointing day” and added that he believes Fravel will appeal the verdict.
Kingbury’s two children, ages two and five, now live with their grandparents.
Fravel will be officially sentenced on December 18.
Kingsbury’s body was found on the side of a road about two months after she disappeared.
Fravel’s attorney requested that the trial be held outside of Winona County due to public interest in the case.
His trial began Oct. 7 at the Blue Earth County Justice Center after Bauer argued that the trial would be held outside of Winona County because of public interest in the case.
There were more than 150 witnesses involved in the case, including relatives of Kingsbury. They were not allowed into the courtroom until they were called to testify.
To honor Kingsbury, his family started a foundation in his name to continue sharing his story.
