A search for missing Minnesota mother Madeline Kingsbury, 26, found human remains by the side of the road when the father of her two children was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Adam Fravel, 29, was taken into custody and charged with suspicion of second-degree murder, according to charges listed on the Winona County Detention Center website, and is being held at the Winona County Jail.
Police said they found human remains in Mabel, Minnesota “using information obtained during the Madeline Kingsbury investigation.”
“As a result, law enforcement arrested Adam Fravel on a probable cause related to her disappearance.
“The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office is working to positively identify the remains as soon as possible.”
Kingsbury has been missing for almost two months and this is the first time charges have been brought in the case.
Human remains have been found by the roadside during a search for the missing Minnesota mother Madeline Kingsbury, 26 – while the father of her two children, Adam Fravel, 29, is being arrested on suspicion of murder
Adam Fravel, 29, was remanded in custody and charged with second-degree murder. He is being held in the Winona County Jail
The 26-year-old went missing on March 31 after dropping off her children at daycare, sparking a frantic search for the beloved mother.
Last month, special prosecutor Phil Prokopowicz came out of retirement to investigate her disappearance, Kingsbury’s sister confirmed to local media.
Prokopowicz, who has been described as “arguably one of the best in the business,” has assisted law enforcement in Winona County, the sister said at the time.
“We don’t have many details at the moment as to what he’s specifically investigating as the immediate concern is the custody case,” Megan Kingsbury told KTTC at the time.
Prokopowicz retired from the Dakota County law enforcement agency in 2019. His recruitment came as Kingsbury’s family was engaged in a messy custody battle with Fravel.
The children are currently staying with Kingsbury’s father and a custody hearing is scheduled for June 6 in Winona County. It remains unclear what Fravel’s arrest will mean for the ongoing case.
Fravel, the father of the Minnesota woman’s children, was the last person to see her alive on the morning of March 31.
In April, Fravel, with the help of his lawyer, released a statement pleading his innocence.
He said at the time: “Over the past 12 days, my family and I have been subjected to a multitude of allegations regarding the disappearance of my children’s mother, Maddi Kingsbury.”
The 26-year-old went missing on March 31 after dropping off her children at daycare, sparking a frantic search for the beloved mother
Madeline’s sister confirmed to local media that Phil Prokopowicz, the former assistant district attorney for Dakota County, has been called in to help with the investigation
Megan Kingsbury said there were very few details about her sister’s whereabouts. In a court filing, Kingsbury’s family argued that concerns had been raised that Fravel was the last person to see Madeline alive
“For the past 12 days, I’ve worked with law enforcement at every turn, including meeting for several interviews with Winona County law enforcement.”
“I had nothing to do with Maddi’s disappearance.” I want the mother of my five and two year olds to be found and brought home safely. I want that more than anything.
He went on to say that law enforcement had advised him not to attend press conferences or assist in searches “for security reasons.”
“However, my no-show and silence was taken by many as a sign of apathy or worse,” he continued.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth.” I want Maddi to be home and for her to be with our two children. God bless the Kingsbury family and please bring them home safely.”
The Kingsbury family released a statement at the time, saying: “Nothing in life prepares you for this.”
“Nothing in life prepares you for it.” “The disappearance of our daughter and sister was an endless nightmare,” they said.
“In the days and nights since Madeline’s disappearance, the immediate and extended family have collectively and individually experienced emotions and trials that anyone who has never faced this horrific situation suddenly could ever imagine.”
Kingsbury disappeared after leaving her children at daycare and a full-scale search for the missing mother quickly began
Fravel maintained his innocence in a statement he issued through his lawyer in April
Fravel, who is also the father of the Minnesota woman’s children, was the last person to see Kingsbury alive on the morning of March 31
The family spoke of the psychological toll the loss of their loved one had on them.
“Eating is a mechanical act we force ourselves to do to maintain our powers so we can continue to advocate for and search for Madeline,” the statement continued.
“Sleep, when it comes, is impermanent and fleeting. I think the only thing that could come close to what we are experiencing is the stress of combat, horrific day after day.
“At first we were so overwhelmed that we couldn’t face looking at each other, but neither could we look away.
“There were no words we could say to comfort each other and we felt alone and frantic.” Since then, the family has circled the floats, bringing together people from around the world and from all over the world. We’ll find Madeline. This is our mission and we will not back down.”
The family said the fact that she was thrust into the “national spotlight” during a “traumatic time” was only made worse by the fact that they had little to no details of Kingsbury’s whereabouts.
“Members of our family and close friends are coordinating closely with law enforcement and dispatching search parties every day, every day,” the statement said.
“From time to time and when we recognize the need, we use social media to encourage and inform the large groups of volunteers who are helping us find Madeline.
“We are overwhelmed by the devotion and tangible displays of love from the vast circle of warriors she has unwittingly gathered around her – her fraternity sisters, colleagues at Mayo Clinic and elsewhere, fellow students from her Winona State days, other mothers, etc. her many, many friends, acquaintances and people whose lives touched her.”
They vowed to continue the search for Kingsbury until it was found.
Madeline’s brother – an Army Infantryman – returned home from overseas service to also help with the search
Family and friends said they have vowed to continue the search for Kingsbury until it is found
This is Kingsbury’s home in Winona, Minnesota. She hasn’t been seen for two months
“We will continue to search for Madeline.” We will not give up, and our family will emerge from this situation forever changed, but forever grateful for the tireless efforts of so many who helped — friends and family, law enforcement folks, other first responders, community workers , clerks, legal professionals, child advocates and many, many more,” they wrote.
Madeline’s brother – an Army Infantryman – returned home from overseas service to also help with the search.
“It’s hard to imagine how that could ever be reciprocated,” he said of the massive volunteer effort,” said Stephen Kingsbury.
“Our gratitude to everyone involved in our efforts to bring our sister/daughter/mother home will never wane,” he continued.