Statement of Probable Cause:
On March 31, 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, DOB 06/01/1996. 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, DOB 01/29/1994, 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 their 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 Mabel, 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 1 and April 2, 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 again relationship for the past seven years. Fravel stated that they have two children, ages five and two. 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 for her and the children to live in. Fravel 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. Fravel stated that on Friday, March 31, 2023, together he and Madeline dropped their children at daycare at around 8:00 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.
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’ place. 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 that 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 asked 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 their 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 the Gabby Petito case. Fravel 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 twenty-two 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 fianc 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 to keep quiet. Madeline asked Fravel 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 Fravel was not aware he was being observed on the video call, as when the friend yelled at Fravel 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 that conversation, the family member discussed an earlier incident. 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 screen shots 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:
Maddi – “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”
Maddi – “Not okay with it all but especially with them there.”
Fravel – “You’ll adjust”
Maddi – “The f*ck I will”
Maddi – “You do that again without asking me and you can go somewhere else” Fravel – “You got it mother”
Maddi – “Don’t patronize me that crossed a line.” Fravel – “Then mind”
Maddi – “Stop.”
Other posts about Madeline:
Madeline Kingsbury found in Mabel Minnesota
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