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 went missing on March 31 last year in the small town of Winona 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 on June 7, 2023, wrapped in a gray sheet, sealed with Gorilla tape, on the side of a highway.
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 murders, The Minnesota 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 because Kingsbury left him for another man.
When she was murdered, she was looking for a new place to live. It was believed that the killer was worried because he was financially dependent on her.
The late mother’s family and friends testified against Fravel, citing his record of domestic violence — 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
Shortly after Kingsbury went missing, Fravel was immediately suspected as being involved, as he was the last to see her alive
In the complaint, Fravel — who has maintained his innocence throughout the trial — also admitted to being “in love” with Petito’s case.
Fravel’s attorney Zach Bauer tried to dismiss the threat as a joke, but the prosecutor said it showed his violent habits.
Kingsbury’s father told the court 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 indictment also revealed video evidence showing Fravel switching the license plate on Kingsbury’s van the day she disappeared.
The video reportedly shows the van leaving the home and driving away with license plates typically attached to a vehicle that Fravel is driving.
The mother of two’s disappearance in March 2023 shocked her small Minnesota community
Kingsbury reportedly experienced domestic violence from her ex-boyfriend on several occasions
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 was when the ex-boyfriend dumped the body.
Tears flowed from Fravel and Kingsbury’s loved ones as Winona County District Judge Nancy Buytendorp read the final verdict.
Bauer told the Minnesota Star Tribune that “it was a disappointing day,” adding that he believes Fravel will appeal the verdict.
Kingbury’s two children, aged 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 highway about two months after she went missing
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 should take place outside of Winona County because of public interest in the case.
More than 150 witnesses were involved in the case, including Kingsbury’s family members. They were not allowed into the courtroom until they were called to testify.
To honor Kingsbury, her family established a foundation in her name to continue sharing her story.