Minnesota jury finds man guilty Thursday kill your girlfriendHer disappearance in 2023 sparked national attention and spurred thousands of people to join the search before her body was found in a forest. rural area of the state.

The jury convicted 30-year-old Adam Fravel first-degree murder and other charges in less than a day in the death of Madeline Kingsbury. Authorities arrested Fravel in June 2023, shortly after deputies found the 26-year-old’s body in a wooded area near his parents’ property.

He was found guilty of first-degree murder while committing domestic violence with a history of domestic violence, first-degree premeditated murder, and two counts of second-degree murder.

Jurors announced their verdicts in front of a packed courtroom as Kingsbury’s and Fravel’s families watched. Some people in the gallery burst into tears as the verdict was announced, MPR News reported.

The trial focused on conflicting accounts of the couple’s home life and the police investigation that ultimately led to Fravel’s arrest.

Phil Prokopowicz, special prosecutor for the Winona County District Attorney’s Office, built his case based on statements from family and friends of the couple who described the alleged violence. domestic violencereported exit.

news week He contacted the Winona County Prosecutor’s Office but they have not yet responded.

Witnesses testified they saw bruises on Kingsbury’s neck, and a friend said she was on FaceTime with Kingsbury when Fravel allegedly hit her. Another friend testified that Kingsbury told him Fravel had warned him that he might end up like that. Gabby PetitoA woman killed by her boyfriend in high-profile 2021 case.

Prosecutors and other witnesses said Kingsbury planned to leave Fravel after becoming frustrated with his allegedly abusive behavior and inadequate contributions to their family. They claimed Fravel responded by killing him.

Fravel’s attorney, Zach Bauer, disputed the claim that Kingsbury died there, arguing that there were no signs of a physical fight at the couple’s home. Bauer also presented testimony from a neighbor who claimed he saw an unknown person from the house waving at him the morning Kingsbury disappeared.

news week He reached out to both Prokopowicz and Bauer about the conviction, but they have yet to respond.

What happened to Madeline Kingsbury?

Witnesses last saw Kingsbury with Fravel dropping off their children, ages 2 and 5, at a day care center in Winona. Minnesota Fravel told investigators Kingsbury went out alone around 10 a.m. on March 31 and had not heard from him since.

In April 2023, Kingsbury’s family told a local media outlet that although their relationship had broken down, the couple were still living together and that Kingsbury was looking for a new home.

Fravel made the following statement through his lawyer in April:

“My family and I have been subjected to numerous accusations regarding this matter. mother’s disappearance Maddi Kingsbury from my children. During these last 12 days, I have cooperated with law enforcement at every opportunity, including having multiple conversations with Winona County law enforcement. I had nothing to do with Maddi’s disappearance. I want the mother of my 5 and 2 year old sons to be found and brought home safely. I want this more than anything.”

Statement from the Winona Police Department on Facebook: “A Fillmore County deputy found human remains Wednesday afternoon north of Mabel, Minnesota. body found He was located along sections of Highway 43 and using information obtained during the Madeline Kingsbury investigation. “Therefore, law enforcement personnel arrested Adam Fravel on probable cause in connection with his disappearance.”

Police discovered Kingsbury’s body wrapped in a gray fitted sheet secured with black Gorilla tape. Prokopowicz said it was drowned on a towel and a medical examiner determined he was most likely dead. suffocation. He added items that matched the towels, sheets and tape found in their Winona home.

When is Adam Fravel’s sentencing?

Fravel’s attorneys requested a change of venue, and the judge granted the request, moving the trial from Winona to Mankato, Minnesota, about 140 miles away.

A. first degree murder conviction is the most serious murder charge. This usually involves premeditation, meaning that the defendant planned the murder in advance, and premeditated malice indicates intent to cause death or serious harm.

A conviction usually results in the harshest penalties, including a long prison sentence or a rigorous imprisonment. death penaltydepending on the laws of the state.

Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911, so the maximum penalty for first-degree murder is life in prison. Although the state no longer has the “death penalty” option, conviction still carries the harshest penalties allowed by law.

The court will sentence Fravel on December 17.

Do you have a story Newsweek should cover? Have questions about this story? Contact [email protected]