Madeline Kingsbury case: Adam Fravel sentenced to life in prison
Madeline Kingsbury's mom: 'He ripped her from her children'
Madeline Kingsbury's mom Krista Naber spoke at Adam Fravel's sentencing on Tuesday, during which she said: "I continue to live my worst nightmare over and over again." Fravel was convicted of murdering Kingsbury, and will be sentenced to a mandatory life in prison. Naber said a life sentence in this case is just.
WINONA, Minn. (FOX 9) - Adam Fravel has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Madeline Kingsbury, who was his former partner and the mother of his two children.
'A real life monster' killed Madeline Kingsbury, her sister said tearfully
Holly Waterston, Madeline Kingsbury's sister, said she was an "amazing aunt" and asked the court to reflect on what Adam Fravel's actions did to the children in their family. She recalls her children asking her why Fravel did this and why he didn't tell people what he did so people didn't have to search for her for so long. She called Fravel a "monster" and said his actions were "sickening" during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday.
Fravel gets life in prison for Kingsbury's murder
What we know: Fravel appeared in court on Tuesday to be sentenced after being convicted of first-degree murder, first-degree murder with a past pattern of domestic abuse, second-degree murder with intent, and second-degree murder while committing a felony.
First-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. In court, the judge handed down that sentence, following remarks from Kingsbury's family and Fravel himself.
Madeline Kingsbury was 'attacked and killed by a coward,' dad said
David Kingsbury, Madeline Kingsbury's dad, spoke at Adam Fravel's sentencing hearing on Tuesday after he was convicted of murdering his partner and the mother of his two children. She was "attacked and killed by a coward" who was twice her size when she decided she didn't want to be used and abused anymore. When he realized he couldn't control her anymore, he killed her, he said.
Kingsbury's family speaks in court
What they're saying: Before sentencing, Kingsbury's family made statements to the court, mourning the loss of the Winona mom.
Krista Hultgren, Madeline's mother, talked about how Fravel mistreated Kingsbury while she was alive before taking her life.
"He made her feel unlovable, then he snuffed the life out of her," said Hultgren. "He ripped her from her children, her family, and her friends. All Madeline wanted was a good life with someone who would love her and the kids unconditionally. And she wanted Adam to continue to be involved in the kids' lives, regardless if they were together or not. She felt bad for him but couldn't make herself fall in love with someone who treated her like she was nothing. She wanted and deserved more."
"He's ruined so many lives," she added. "And he took my child from me."
'Absolute feeling of emptiness' after Kingsbury was killed, sister said
Megan Kingsbury Hancock, Madeline Kingsbury's sister, read a victim impact statement at Adam Fravel's sentencing hearing on Tuesday after he was convicted of murdering his partner and the mother of his two children. She recalled the days searching for Kingsbury in southern Minnesota. "I watched my parents crumble," as the search for Madeline Kingsbury continued, she said. She remembers hearing Maddi's children saying, "Mommy was too young to die."
Kingsbury's father concluded that Fravel killed Madeline after Fravel had lost control of her, as she sought a fresh start without Fravel.
"When he realized he couldn't control or manipulate her any longer, he decided to kill her," David Kingsbury explained. "He thought, incredibly, he'd run home to his parents' house and wait it out. He thought no one would care about Madeline. She'd just fade into memory while he'd get away with murder."
David Kingsbury also described a sickening confrontation in court after Fravel's arrest.
"We were engaged in a very public and hotly contested court battle with Fravel for custody of Maddi's children," Kingsbury recounted. "Though he was finally arrested and charged with her murder, this litigation continued. Moments before a video hearing began, the courts camera was live. He noticed we were on the video feed, locked eyes with my wife and I, and smirked at us. Smirked. At that moment, his true nature revealed: resolute cruelty and pure evil. For me, certain proof that he killed Madeline, proof he was glad he did it, and proof that he derived great pleasure from the carnage, destruction, and grief he's caused. His only regret was being held accountable."
Madeline Kingsbury 'loved her children,' family said [RAW]
A statement from Cathy Kingsbury, Madeline's Kingsbury's parent, was read in court during Adam Fravel's sentencing hearing on Tuesday after he was convicted of murdering his partner and the mother of his two children. She recalled the days and weeks after Madeline disappeared and the impact it had on her children.
Madeline sister and stepsister also spoke to the court about the difficulty as the family navigated through the grief wrought by Fravel.
"The defendant will most likely proclaim his innocence for the rest of his life," sister Megan Hancock said. "Myself, my family, and friends of Madeline do not need him to admit it, because we all know the truth. Perhaps the defendant is happy what has become of my family and what has become of Madeline. To that, I would say: We are not broken. Madeline will forever be remember and loved. Her children will know who their mother is and was. They will also know, when they are old enough, what happened to her and that their father is the monster who took her from them."
Fravel addresses the court
The other side: Fravel only made a brief remark to the court after Kingsbury's family members spoke.
"I never caused harm to Maddi," Fravel said. "And I am innocent."
The Kingsbury case
Dig deeper: Madeline Kingsbury went missing on March 31, 2023. She was last seen alive dropping her children off at day care on that morning.
She returned home but never logged on for remote work and was never heard from again.
Fravel, who was moving out of Kingsbury's home after a break-up, claimed Kingsbury had been alive when he left home that morning to bring items to a storage locker. When he returned to Kingsbury's home early that afternoon, Fravel said Kingsbury wasn't there.
However, authorities say Fravel's timeline didn't match the surveillance video detectives were able to uncover during the investigation.
Video obtained by FOX 9 shows investigators grilling Fravel during questioning, with Fravel denying involvement in the disappearance.
Search efforts for Kingsbury
The Backstory: After efforts by law enforcement and hundreds of volunteers, Kingsbury's body was discovered months later by a Fillmore County deputy near Fravel's parents' home in Mabel, Minn.
Investigators say her body was wrapped in a bedsheet with a towel knotted around her head, which prosecutors say was used to suffocate her. Fravel was arrested shortly after, and he was later indicted on charges of first-degree murder.
Adam Fravel's trial
What happened: In August 2024, Fravel’s defense team successfully petitioned Winona County Judge Nancy Buytendorp to move the trial to Blue Earth County – a move said to further ensure an unbiased jury.
The trial began in October with the prosecution bringing forth several witnesses including police officers and investigators who worked on the case, as well as, family and friends who described Kingsbury's relationship with Fravel as abusive.
During closing arguments, the prosecution told jurors that Fravel had the motive, means and opportunity to kill Kingsbury. Prosecutors argued Fravel was abusive and controlling, and that he was jealous after Kingsbury told him she’d begun a new relationship.
Fravel did not testify in his own defense, exercising his right to remain silent. His defense team rested its case on Wednesday, arguing that investigators had "tunnel vision" who only focused on Fravel from the start and ignored anything that didn't fit into that narrative.