Winona judge hears testimony in Fravel case; suspect accused of killing former girlfriend Kingsbury

A pre-trial hearing for a Winona murder suspect is expected to conclude on Wednesday, following a day of testimony Tuesday.

Adam Fravel is scheduled to be tried next month in Mankato, for the death of Madeline Kingsbury, his former girlfriend.

The hearing before Winona Judge Nancy Buytendorp began on Tuesday, with testimony about Adam and Madeline’s relationship, and how it changed before Madeline disappeared in March of 2023 after reportedly wanting to break up with Adam.

Witnesses, including Madeline’s parents, claim Fravel became less supportive of Madeline and their young children, and made threats against her in the months before she died.

Madeline’s father David Kingsbury testified that she was “giving, giving, giving” but “never getting” from Fravel, in that he seemed “uncaring” and unwilling to help Madeline with money or with raising the children.

Krista Hultgren, Madeline’s mother, also said Fravel often did not have a job to help pay the bills. Hultgren said in the beginning of the relationship with Madeline, she liked Fravel and “grew to love him,” but heard reports of how he became physically abusive.

This week’s hearing could help determine what evidence is used in the October trial, which may last about a month. The Fravel trial could last from three to five weeks, according to a Minnesota prosecutor in the case. The trial is being moved to Mankato because of extensive publicity in the Winona area.