In a major development, a Minnesota grand jury has formally charged Adam Fravel, father to two of Madeline Kingsbury’s children, with first-degree murder in connection with her death and implicated him in a recurring pattern of domestic violence. This comes roughly four months subsequent to the discovery of her remains in the vicinity of a highway.
Fravel, aged 29, faced the indictment of four criminal charges on Monday, encompassing first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree murder with a history of domestic violence, intentional second-degree murder without premeditation, and unintentional second-degree murder whilst committing a felony, as asserted by the indictment submitted at the Winona County district court.
Fravel, who has refuted any involvement in Kingsbury’s vanishing, didn’t offer any comment on the latest developments through his legal counsel.
The last time Kingsbury, a 26-year-old mother, was seen alive was on the 31st of March. She failed to show up at her job, answer calls from loved ones, or pick up her children from daycare that day. Authorities have remarked that such behavior was “extremely out of character for her.”
By April, Kingsbury’s disappearance had taken on a fearsome hue, with police stating that the evidence indicated it was “involuntary and suspicious,” and expressing their extreme concern for her safety. Her disappearance prompted a considerable search effort amounting to nearly 2,000 people, comprising volunteers, first responders, and fire department personnel in the first week of her disappearance.
It was on June 7, almost two months since she was reported missing, that Kingsbury’s remains were discovered in the brush off Highway 43 in neighboring Fillmore County. On that day, Fravel was taken into custody on a charge of second-degree murder, without incident, law enforcement said.
The recent indictment levels the accusation against Fravel of executing Kingsbury while he was perpetrating domestic abuse upon her, and suggests her death occurred “under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life.”
In order to reach their conclusion, the grand jury consulted with as many as 31 witnesses, as indicated by the indictment.
Fravel’s bail was increased to $3 million with no conditions or $2 million with conditions by Winona County District Court Judge Nancy Buytendorp.
Fravel’s next court appearance is slated for December 14th.
Post Kingsbury’s disappearance, her children were taken into the charge of the Winona County Health and Human Services Department, as per court documents. Responding to the scenario, a judge ruled that county custody was more suitable for the children instead of releasing them to their father.
Prior to Kingsbury’s disappearance, Fravel did not possess custodial rights to the children, aged 5 and 2, as supported by court documents.
