The question of whether or not a missing person has been located is usually a simple "yes" or "no," but for the community of Winona, Minnesota, the answer carries a weight that can’t be measured. People still ask: was Maddi Kingsbury ever found?
Yes. She was found. But it wasn't the homecoming anyone prayed for.
On June 7, 2023, the agonizing 69-day search for Madeline "Maddi" Kingsbury ended in a culvert off a gravel road near Mabel, Minnesota. A Fillmore County deputy made the discovery based on digital evidence that pointed investigators back to an area they had actually checked before. Maddi was 26 years old when she vanished. She was a mother, a clinical research coordinator at Mayo Clinic, and a sister whose disappearance mobilized thousands of volunteers.
The case didn't end with her discovery. It actually opened a dark chapter of legal proceedings that only recently reached a conclusion.
The Day Everything Changed
March 31, 2023, started out like any other Friday. Maddi and her ex-partner, Adam Fravel, dropped their two young children off at daycare around 8:00 a.m. They returned to their home in Winona. By 10:00 a.m., Maddi was supposed to be at her job in Rochester.
She never showed up.
By that afternoon, her phone was dark. Her wallet and ID were still in the house. Her van was in the driveway. The silence was deafening. Her family knew immediately that something was wrong because Maddi wasn't the type to just walk away from her kids—then aged 2 and 5.
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A Community on the Move
I remember the footage of those early searches. It was staggering. More than 2,000 people showed up to comb through the rugged terrain of southeastern Minnesota. They looked in marshes, they climbed bluffs, and they checked every abandoned barn in the county.
The search was massive. It was personal.
People put up blue lights on their porches. They wore "Finding Madeline" shirts. For 10 weeks, the uncertainty hung over the town like a thick fog. Then came the afternoon of June 7.
Where Was Maddi Kingsbury Found?
She was found wrapped in a bedsheet and hidden in a culvert near Highway 43. The location was chillingly specific—just a few miles from property owned by Adam Fravel's parents. Investigators later determined she had been smothered to death.
Medical examiners used the term "homicidal violence by asphyxiation."
What made the discovery even more gut-wrenching was the fact that the sheet she was wrapped in matched bedding from her own home. The duct tape used to secure the bundle also matched materials found in the house she shared with Fravel.
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The Trial and the Verdict
Adam Fravel was arrested almost immediately after the body was found. The legal battle that followed was long and messy. Because of how much media coverage the case got, the trial had to be moved 130 miles away to Mankato to ensure a fair jury.
The prosecution’s case was built on a "pattern of domestic abuse." They brought up a terrifying incident where Fravel reportedly told Maddi he could make her "disappear like Gabby Petito."
In November 2024, a jury deliberated for about ten hours. They found Adam Fravel guilty on all four counts, including:
- First-degree premeditated murder
- First-degree murder during domestic abuse
- Second-degree intentional murder
- Second-degree unintentional murder while committing a felony
He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on December 17, 2024.
Honestly, watching the sentencing was heavy. Maddi’s mother, Krista Hultgren, told the court that Fravel "snuffed the life out of her." Even as he was led away to spend the rest of his life behind bars, Fravel maintained his innocence, claiming he never harmed her. He has since filed an appeal with the Minnesota State Supreme Court, as of March 2025.
Why This Case Still Matters
The reason people still search for "was Maddi Kingsbury ever found" isn't just about morbid curiosity. It’s about the reality of domestic violence. This wasn't a random kidnapping. This was a tragedy that happened within a home, involving someone she should have been able to trust.
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Maddi’s father, David Kingsbury, put it bluntly after the verdict. He said they wouldn't get Madeline back, and that "Fravel can't be punished enough."
The children are now being raised by their maternal grandparents. They lost both parents that day—one to a horrific act of violence and the other to the justice system. It’s a messy, heartbreaking outcome that serves as a reminder of why community vigilance matters.
Actionable Insights for Moving Forward
If you are following this case or are touched by Maddi’s story, there are ways to turn that awareness into action. Justice in the courtroom is one thing, but prevention is another.
- Know the Signs: Domestic abuse isn't always physical at first. The trial highlighted a history of "control and isolation." Organizations like the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233) offer resources to help identify these patterns early.
- Support Search and Rescue: The 2,000 volunteers who looked for Maddi didn't just find a body; they provided the evidence needed for a conviction. Look into local volunteer search organizations or donate to groups like Texas EquuSearch that assist families in similar crises.
- Advocate for Maddi’s Kids: The family often directs support toward the children’s future. Ensuring that the survivors of these tragedies have the mental health support and stability they need is a lifelong project.
- Stay Informed on the Appeal: As of 2026, the legal process continues through the appeals court. Keeping eyes on the case ensures that the "justice" promised to the family remains intact.
Maddi Kingsbury was found, but her story is now a legacy of a community that refused to stop looking.
Next Steps to Support Victims of Domestic Violence
To honor Maddi’s memory, consider donating to or volunteering with local women's shelters or domestic abuse advocacy groups in your area. You can also visit the "Finding Madeline Kingsbury" social media pages which often share updates on community memorials and resources for families in crisis.