The Disappearance of Maddi Kingsbury | Full Episode
Summary
TLDRThe tragic story of Melinda 'Maddie' Kingsbury unfolds in this detailed account, highlighting the search for the missing mother, her relationship with Adam Frail, and the involvement of Spencer Sullivan. Maddie, a dedicated mother and student, was last seen on March 31st, 2023, and her disappearance led to an extensive search involving the community and law enforcement. As the investigation deepens, it reveals a tumultuous relationship with Adam, who was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder, later upgraded to first-degree murder. The narrative also uncovers Maddie's secret relationship with Spencer and the chilling parallels to the Gabby Petito case. The case culminates in the discovery of Maddie's remains and the ongoing legal battle for justice.
Takeaways
- 🔍 Maddie Kingsbury, a young mother and student from Winona State University, went missing under suspicious circumstances after being last seen on March 31st.
- 👨👩👧👦 Maddie was not married to Adam Frail, the father of her two children, and they had an on-and-off relationship with signs of abuse and threats.
- 🏠 Adam reported that he last saw Maddie in their home office before he left, and he later picked up their children from daycare alone.
- 📞 There was a lack of communication from Maddie throughout the day, which was unusual and raised concerns among her family and friends.
- 🕵️♂️ The police investigation involved a thorough search, including the use of cadaver dogs, surveillance video analysis, and interviews with Adam and others.
- 🚫 Adam had unexplained scratches on his face and a gap in his alibi, which raised further suspicions.
- 💔 Maddie's family and friends had witnessed signs of a troubled relationship and had concerns about her safety.
- 🤳 Megan, Maddie's sister, used social media, particularly TikTok, to raise awareness and ask for help in finding Maddie.
- 🛤️ Maddie's body was eventually found along a remote road, wrapped in a sheet, after a lengthy search.
- 📉 Adam was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, later upgraded to first-degree murder, with a possible motive involving financial dependence and relationship distress.
- 📝 Maddie had a life insurance policy with a substantial death benefit, which was not designated, potentially providing a financial motive.
Q & A
Who is Maddie Kingsbury and what happened to her?
-Maddie Kingsbury was a hardworking and dedicated mother, a young woman from Winona State University, who had two children with her partner, Adam Frail. She went missing on the morning of Friday, March 31st, after being last seen by Adam in their home office. Despite extensive search efforts, she remained missing until her remains were found 68 days later, and Adam was charged with her murder.
What was the nature of Maddie Kingsbury's relationship with Adam Frail?
-Maddie Kingsbury and Adam Frail were in an on-and-off relationship. They were not married but had two children together. Adam was described as initially infatuated with Maddie, but the relationship deteriorated over time, with reports of Adam being abusive and controlling.
Why was there suspicion around Adam Frail in Maddie's disappearance?
-Suspicion around Adam Frail was due to several factors, including the history of domestic violence, his obsession with the Gabby Petito case, and inconsistencies in his timeline of events on the day Maddie disappeared. There was also a 45-minute gap in his account that could not be verified by surveillance footage.
What role did social media, particularly TikTok, play in the search for Maddie Kingsbury?
-Social media, especially TikTok, played a significant role in spreading awareness about Maddie's disappearance. Maddie's sister, Megan, used the platform to post updates and pleas for help, which garnered hundreds of thousands of views and led to almost 1,000 people signing up to help in the search efforts.
What was the significance of the Gabby Petito case in relation to Maddie Kingsbury's situation?
-The Gabby Petito case was significant because Adam Frail had an obsession with it, which he expressed to Maddie in a threatening manner. He told Maddie that if she wasn't careful, she would end up like Gabby Petito, which was later seen as a potential motive or foreshadowing of his actions.
Who is Spencer Sullivan and what was his relationship with Maddie Kingsbury?
-Spencer Sullivan is an army veteran who had reconnected with Maddie Kingsbury through Tinder and they started dating. Their relationship was kept a secret from Adam Frail until shortly before Maddie's disappearance. Spencer was initially a person of interest but was later cleared of any involvement.
What evidence led to Adam Frail's arrest and charges?
-Adam Frail was arrested and charged after Maddie's remains were found along a country road. The evidence included a gray bed sheet that matched a set found in Maddie's home, wrapped around her remains, and a 45-minute unaccounted for window in Adam's timeline. Additionally, cadaver dogs alerted to the scent of human remains in Adam's utility vehicle and on a shovel found in the vehicle.
What was the cause of death determined for Maddie Kingsbury?
-Maddie Kingsbury's autopsy listed her cause of death as homicidal violence. The remains were found wrapped in a bed sheet with black duct tape around the ends, and a towel around her head, indicating a deliberate act.
What was the reaction of Maddie's family and friends upon learning of her death?
-The news of Maddie's death was shattering for her family and friends. Her father, David Kingsbury, expressed a sense of loss and a call to action to find justice for Maddie. Her best friend, Katie, was captured on a video doorbell camera reacting to the news, and the community gathered to remember Maddie, acknowledging her as a kind and beautiful soul.
What are the legal proceedings surrounding Adam Frail's case?
-Adam Frail was initially charged with second-degree murder, but later indicted on additional first-degree murder charges. His defense team has asked a judge to suppress his police interview, claiming he wasn't read his Miranda rights. They also argue there is not enough evidence to warrant the first-degree murder charge and suggest other potential scenarios or individuals that could be responsible.
How did the community and law enforcement respond to Maddie Kingsbury's disappearance?
-The community and law enforcement responded with urgency and determination. The Winona police took the case seriously from the start, and the news of Maddie's disappearance spread quickly, leading to a large-scale search effort involving hundreds of volunteers. The case also gained significant attention on social media, amplifying the call for help and leading to a wider search.
Outlines
🔍 The Disappearance of Maddie Kingsbury
The video script begins with a plea for help in finding Maddie Kingsbury, a dedicated mother and student who disappeared under suspicious circumstances. It details the extensive search efforts involving both the community and law enforcement, including searches on foot, by vehicle, water, and air. The script introduces Maddie's relationship with Adam Frail, the father of her children, and the timeline of events leading up to her disappearance. It also mentions Spencer Sullivan, a man Maddie had been seeing, and the belief that her disappearance was involuntary and suspicious. The speaker expresses frustration and a desperate hope to find Maddie, emphasizing the support from social media and the public.
👮♂️ Mayor Sherman's Involvement and Maddie's Background
Mayor Scott Sherman of Winona, Minnesota, expresses his concern and intention to assist in the search for Maddie Kingsbury, a young woman who was both a student and mother. The mayor, an avid bicyclist familiar with the area's back roads, offers his support to Maddie's mother, Christa. The summary outlines the timeline of when Maddie's family first began to worry about her whereabouts and the initial actions taken by her family and friends. It also provides background information on Maddie's life, her relationship with Adam, their life in Winona, and the challenges they faced together, including Adam's job loss and Maddie's graduation and subsequent job at the Mayo Clinic.
🕵️♀️ Police Investigation and Public Appeal
The police investigation into Maddie's disappearance is highlighted, with authorities going to great lengths to find her quickly. The news of Maddie's disappearance spreads quickly, prompting her sorority sister, Haley Scott, to reach out for help. Detectives interview Adam Frail, who provides an account of his activities on the day Maddie vanished. The video from the daycare center corroborates part of his story. However, investigators note fresh scratches on his face and find no signs of foul play at the house. The narrative also includes the use of social media, particularly TikTok, by Maddie's sister, Megan, to publicize the case and seek help.
🤔 Investigating Adam and the Gabby Petito Connection
As the investigation progresses, authorities take a closer look at Adam, especially after friends of Maddie share disturbing stories about him. The script reveals that Maddie had called a friend after an incident with Adam, in which he threatened her by mentioning Gabby Petito, a case that captivated the nation. The narrative also includes accounts from friends and family about the troubled relationship between Maddie and Adam, including instances of physical abuse and Adam's obsession with the Petito case. The family's attempts to convince Maddie to leave Adam and their concerns for her safety are also discussed.
💔 Maddie's Secret Relationship and Fear for Her Safety
The script reveals that Maddie had been in a secret romantic relationship with Spencer Sullivan, an army veteran she knew from college. Maddie had only recently disclosed the relationship to Adam, which caused significant distress. Friends and family report their concerns about Maddie's safety due to Adam's threatening behavior. The narrative describes how Maddie's family tried to protect her and the children, and how Maddie returned to Adam despite their fears. It also details the police's investigation into Adam's activities and the evidence they gathered, including a gap in his alibi and Maddie's saved text messages about past abuse.
🏡 The Search for Maddie and the Discovery of Her Remains
The search for Maddie Kingsbury continues with her sister Megan providing updates on TikTok. The narrative describes the emotional toll of the search and the community's involvement. It also discusses a tip to the police about Adam, Maddie's ex-partner, seen with a shovel, leading to the seizure of a vehicle and cadaver dogs alerting to a scent in it. Adam releases a statement through his attorneys, asserting his innocence. The script culminates in the tragic discovery of Maddie's remains 68 days after her disappearance. Adam is arrested and charged with second-degree murder, later upgraded to first-degree murder. The cause of death is listed as homicidal violence, and the script hints at a possible financial motive.
📜 The Legal Proceedings and the Aftermath
The narrative outlines the legal proceedings against Adam Frail following the discovery of Maddie's remains. It includes details about the evidence against him, such as the removal of surveillance cameras from the couple's home and the potential motive related to Maddie's financial support. Adam's family disputes the allegations, suggesting alternative explanations for the evidence. His defense team challenges the admissibility of his police interview and the sufficiency of the evidence for a first-degree murder charge. The script also explores the emotional impact on Maddie's family and friends, their struggle with the reality of her death, and their determination to ensure her story is remembered.
💔 A Toxicology Surprise and the Legacy of Maddie Kingsbury
The script concludes with a surprising toxicology report from the medical examiner, which found tetrahydrozoline, a substance found in eye drops, in Maddie's system. The narrative reflects on the relationships Maddie had with those around her, highlighting her importance to many people. It emphasizes the deep bond between Maddie and her sister Megan, and how Maddie was cherished as a best friend by many. The script ends with a note on the lasting impact of Maddie's life and the void her death has left in the lives of those who knew her.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Disappearance
💡Search Efforts
💡Sorority Girl
💡Fraternity Boy
💡Missing Person's Report
💡Social Media Campaign
💡Suspicious Circumstances
💡Alibi
💡TikTok
💡Second Degree Murder
💡First Degree Murder
Highlights
The Disappearance of Maddie Kingsbury involved extensive search efforts by land, water, and air.
Maddie was described as a dedicated mother with a close-knit family, who was last seen on March 31st.
Maddie's boyfriend, Adam Frail, reported her missing after she went to work in their home office and was not seen again.
Adam had scratches on his face, which he attributed to a friend's dog, raising suspicion.
Maddie's family and friends used social media, particularly TikTok, to spread awareness and gather support for the search.
Spencer Sullivan, an army veteran Maddie had been seeing, was investigated but had a confirmed alibi.
Maddie had informed Adam about her relationship with Spencer just days before her disappearance.
Adam was seen with a shovel in his family's utility vehicle, which raised questions about his involvement.
Maddie's remains were found 68 days after her disappearance, wrapped in a bed sheet on a lonely country road.
Adam was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, later upgraded to first-degree murder.
Investigators found a potential motive involving financial dependence and the end of their relationship.
Maddie had a life insurance policy with a substantial death benefit, but no listed beneficiary.
Surveillance cameras were removed from the couple's home, suggesting a consciousness of guilt.
Adam's family insists on his innocence and suggests alternative scenarios for the crime.
The case highlights the importance of domestic violence awareness and the need for intervention.
Maddie's family hopes that speaking out can prevent similar tragedies and help others in abusive relationships.
The community and Maddie's loved ones remember her as a kind, beautiful soul who mattered to many.
Transcripts
[Music]
I would like to thank all of you for
taking the time to spread the word about
The Disappearance of meline Maddie
Kingsbury our search efforts have
included people on foot in vehicles as
well as by water and air mine is a
hardworking and um dedicated mother
family is everything to her uh
she's grown into an impressive and
beautiful young
woman please help us find meline the
children need their
mother my
sister is kind and quirky and caring and
my best friend Maddie Kingsbury a young
Sorority Girl from Winona State
University meets Adam fril a young
fraternity boy they have two children
they were not married Maddie was last
seen the morning of Friday March
31st Maddie and Adam took the kids to
daycare and dropped them off around 8:00
a.m. by they got back to the house and
Adam said he saw Maddie go downstairs
and where a home office was to work he
left and he didn't see her again I sent
her this funny picture and we were just
kind of laughing back and forth about it
and that was at 8:15 that morning and
then I didn't hear anything else Maddy's
family and friends tried to contact
Maddie throughout the day on March 31st
without success I sent a message to Adam
and I said hey none of us have heard
from meline all day he said I'm
concerned too because I haven't heard
from her and so I met my parents you
know with the kids so I contacted a
friend of Maddie's her name's Katie I
said I need you to go to her house and
see if she's there nobody was home so I
called the police I started sobbing at
that point they said that there was no
sign of her there's no sign of a
struggle we are very hopeful that we
will find her no stone is being left
unturned who is Spencer Sullivan Spencer
Sullivan is a man that meline had
started seeing it was an on andof type
situation um because there were times
where she would tell me I don't know if
this is going to work out because of
Adam We Believe Maddy's disappearance is
involuntary suspicious and we are using
every tool at our disposal to find
Colonel so I took to social media Tik
Tok mainly hey Tik Tock I'm uh posting
an update I am out in filmar County we
still haven't found my sister I mean
hundreds of thousands of people saw her
Tik toks almost 1,00 people signed up
today to come look for my sister and she
was pleading with the public to help and
pleading with everybody to take a look
everywhere and anywhere for her sister
people just don't vanish my sister is
still missing police and other law
enforcement are obviously still
searching everyone's frustrated
and we just can't figure out where she
is Maddie's still
missing I think it's day
68 I would talk to her when I was out
looking for her I wanted to be the one
to find her I didn't want anyone else in
my family to find her if it's going to
be one of us please let it be
me this has gone on too long we we want
to bring her home
[Music]
[Music]
there's just something about Winona that
keeps pulling you back Scott Sherman is
the mayor of Winona Minnesota a small
City on the banks of the Mississippi
living here in Winona
is really
cool so cool that TV and film star
Winona Ryder is named for the town as
she told the world in this Super Bowl
ad there's something about this place
[Music]
something that feels
so
[Applause]
me 26-year-old meline Kingsbury also
felt that certain something about Winona
so when mayor Sherman heard that she had
gone missing he wanted to
help I felt that Maddie was a daughter
of Winona she was a bright young
woman working through
school working on a job in Rochester and
raising kids all at the same time that's
a lot so I had respect for Maddie and
mayor Sherman thought he could
help because as an avid bicyclist he
rides the woodsy paths around Winona all
year long do you know the back roads of
this area I do and you went out yourself
I did but as mayor Sherman felt his
first job was to support Mattie's
distraught mother Christa neighbor when
she arrived at the Search Command
Center she gave me a
hug that I will never forget the rest of
my life it was a hug that showed fear
concern and so what were you what
message were you sending with that hug
I'm here for
you we will do our damnest to find her
Matty's family first began worrying
about Maddie late in the afternoon of
Friday March 31st 2023 when Christa
realized she had not heard from her
daughter for nearly the entire day
something in my gut just didn't feel
right mother's intuition
right Christa contacted Megan madd's
older sister but Megan said she was not
overly concerned I sent her a couple
text messages anyway hey mom hasn't
heard from you can you call her can you
text her back she's concerned and she
didn't reply to that at the time Maddie
was living with Adam fral the father of
their children the two had met in
college at Winona State University he
was outgoing and seemed interested in
getting to know us and he seemed very
almost infatuated I guess with meline
while still in college Maddie and Adam
learned they were expecting their first
child and decided to settle in Winona he
made manned up he manned up Teresa sis
Mahia is Adam's sister and she says Adam
quits school to support his new family
he knew he was going to be a dad he went
and got a job um and he had that job up
until Co and then he got laid off while
he let Maddie continue college so that
she could graduate and she did she
graduated and he supported her after
graduation Maddie began working at the
Mayo Clinic and became a clinical
research coordinator and madd's Father
David Kingsbury said she recently had
begun studying for an advanced degree
she was a graduate student of master's
program at the University of Minnesota
had just completed her first semester
there and was doing very well Adam who
had studied computer science in college
began taking flying lessons with an eye
toward getting his pilot's license when
he was taking pilot license that that he
felt so
accomplished you know it made him feel
good and I was so proud of him for doing
it for doing something for
himself I enjoyed being around him and I
could tell that he really cared for
meline on the evening of March 3st Megan
was hours away from Winona when she
reached out to Adam who said he was
concerned he said I got home today and
she was gone Adam and the children were
at his parents home in Mabel an hour
south of Winona that's when Megan
messaged madd's close friend Katie kka
who lived in Winona my parents and I
haven't been able to get in contact with
Maddie all day Katie responds I'm on my
way over there right now the house was
eerily silent and it was at that point
Katie called the Winona police and you
want this missing person's report to be
filed but what did they tell you they
told me that I wasn't able to report it
because it hadn't been 24 hours
yet I was pacing in my kitchen I was
getting really really worried so was
mti's father who tried to reach her
where are you what's going on the next
morning with Maddie now missing nearly
24 hours the Kingsbury family filed a
missing person's report and then Adam
went to Facebook asking for help
his post read in part if anybody has
seen Maddie please contact the Winona PD
me or any of her family members please
help me find the mom to our two
beautiful kids the police went to Great
Lengths I have to say to try to find
Maddie
quickly because they know that there's a
ticking clock on these things and the
investigation took off I mean it's
extraordinary what they did
the news that Maddie was missing spread
quickly through Winona and
Beyond Haley Scott one of mty's sorority
sisters wanted to help I reached out to
our sorority I reached out um to news
outlets I was grasping at
straws at the same time did detectives
reached out to Adam
fril according to police reports Adam
told them how on the morning of March
31st the couple dropped off their
children at the daycare
center investigators confirmed the drop
off after speaking to the daycare
provider who gave police this
videotape this video has never been seen
by the public until now it was one of
the last times Maddie is seen on video
before she
vanished police say Adam told them he
and Maddie returned home after the drop
off and she went to her office in the
basement to do a little work before
heading to the Mayo Clinic and I have
taken a look at all the evidence that we
have thus far in the Maddy Kingsbury
case Mary feni a former prosecutor and
defense attorney is a 48 Hours cons
consultant she says that in his police
interview Adam told detectives he left
Maddie his car and borrowed her blue
minivan to haul some
boxes he proceeded to put some boxes in
the van that he was going to move to his
parents house said he didn't see Maddie
again he drove to his parents house
along Highway
43 police say Adam told them he got as
far as the town ship of choice Minnesota
when he realized he had made a mistake
the boxes that he had in the van were
ones that he actually wanted to put in
storage so he turned around and he went
back to the
home police say Adam told investigators
he arrived back at his Winona home
around 11:30 a.m. and saw his car still
in the
driveway he said he had texted her a few
times asking about dinner and whether or
not she was going to pick up the kids
there was no response police say Adam
told them he'd assumed Maddie had car
pooed to work and when he did not hear
from her he went alone to do that pickup
of the
kids again the video from the daycare
appears to corroborate that part of
Adam's story so he ultimately picked up
the children around 4:20 or 4:30 um from
daycare and brought them to his parents
house in Mabel
Minnesota during a police interview
investigators noted that Adam had fresh
scratches on his face the day after
Maddie disappeared Adam's sister says he
told her the scratches came from a
friend's dog on Saturday April
1st police searched the Winona house
where Adam lived with
Maddie and investigators reported they
saw no overt signs of Foul Play but what
was in the house was her purse her
jacket her credit cards um but no Maddie
2 Days Later an anxious Megan rushed out
of her shower and alerted her Tick Tock
followers to what was going on Tik Tock
I need you to do your thing I wasn't
thinking about the fact that I was in a
towel I need your help this is my
sister
meline Kingsbury
um she's missing
[Music]
the post eventually had over a half
million views help us find her he's got
two kids she's my best friend she's my
little sister we need to get her back
please help
us I mean you're obviously in Terror
here the look on your face but you're
reaching out for help and people wanted
to help yes so many people have asked to
help look for mine Kingsbury that it
allowed law enforcement to expand their
search there's no no guide book on how
to search for a missing loved one and
searching for her was easily one of the
most traumatic things I've ever
experienced in my
[Music]
life we're all hopeful she's
[Music]
alive but by the end of the weekend
there was no sign of
Maddie day by day
Megan continued to post updates to Tik
Tok it's Tuesday the 25th still no
Malin now next week is May we're still
in this
hell I feel like all of us like every
night we would look out it's cold it's
dark is she like laying out there
somewhere she like trapped
somewhere um and you just you don't know
what to do
behind the scenes
though investigators began taking a
harder look at Adam especially after
Maddie's friends came
forward with some disturbing stories
mateline called me shortly after an
incident happened between her and
Adam where he had told her that if she
wasn't careful she was going to end up
just like Gabby
petito the Gabby petito case fixated the
nation in the fall of 2021 the search
for missing 22-year-old Gabby Patito is
now a multi-state effort after the young
woman from Long Island was found dead
human remains were discovered one month
after she seemingly vanished from the
face of the
earth I told her you need to get out and
you need to get it get out
now that's not an empty threat
[Music]
what do you think of Megan's Tik Tok
posts chat now with the 48 Hours team on
Facebook and
[Music]
[Music]
X years before Maddie vanished her
sister Megan says the on and off again
relationship Queen Maddie and Adam
seemed to be headed for a bad ending he
just wasn't nice to her he didn't act
like he loved her he didn't help take
care of the kids he didn't clean and
honestly did you reach a point where you
you advised your sister you know perhaps
it's time to move on in your life from
him many
[Music]
times madd's Father David said it pained
him to to see how shabbily Adam treated
Maddie I think she
literally poured out a river of love for
him and she got nearly a drop in return
Matty's stepmother Kathy says Maddie
often called saying Adam was of no help
with the children and she'd be just
sobbing miserably that Adam's not
helping I hate this but Mattie's family
and friends say there was more than just
tearful arguments about 3 years before
Maddie went missing Haley says she
witnessed Adam slap Maddie during a
video
call Haley and Maddie were talking Haley
says when Adam appeared in the
background and began shouting at Maddie
he yelled I don't understand why this
house is such a mess and she said I
don't know maybe you should help
me um to which Adam turned and he
slapped her with an open hand across the
face and in September 20121 some 18
months before Maddie disappeared she
told Haley about Adam's dark fascination
with the Gabby petito story Adam had
a infatuation and I would call it an
obsession with the Gabby of petito case
Haley says Maddie had told her that one
night after she and Adam watched a news
special about the petito murder Adam's
Obsession turned
threatening he had actually turned and
grabbed her by the throat and pinned her
down and told her that if she wasn't
careful that she would end up just like
her Katie says she tried to get Maddie
to do something and I begged her and
begged her please go to the hospital
document it yourself do whatever you
need to do you need to get this
documented so you can get out of there
safely with those
kids but Katie says Maddie never
reported anything to the police she was
more scared that Adam was going to get
arrested she wanted to protect him she
was protecting him Maddie did however
tell her father David and stepmother
Kathy about the choking incident she was
like horribly afraid she'd been choked
and she was very very scared and wanted
help Kathy says she and David drove to
Maddie's house and got her and the
children out of there she came with us
we went to the house so she could get
some of her things and some of the
clothing for the kids and whatnot
and put the kids in the van and followed
us back to our home in Farmington but
Kathy says Maddie stayed in the
Kingsbury house only 3 days before
returning to Adam because he was upset
that she'd
left I did tell her some point he's
going to kill you you said that to Matt
yeah you felt there was enough danger
that you had to say to your own daughter
I think he may kill you and how did she
respond to that statement or did she
honestly I mean she became a pro at
minimizing thing and it came back to
well he was he was joking he told me he
was joking and she wanted to believe
that when Maddy went missing her friends
and family reported those in ents to
police according to a search warrant
detectives interviewed Adam and asked if
he and Maddie had ever had any physical
altercations he said oh no when
detectives asked about those Gabby
Patito comments police say Adam admitted
them but claimed he was trying to make a
joke but according to a search warrant
investigators found an old screenshot
Maddie had saved of some text she'd
exchanged with Adam Maddie says 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 not okay with it
at all but especially with them there
Adam replies you'll adjust Maddie says
the FI
will detectives wanted to know
everything about what Adam did the day
Maddie went missing and began collecting
surveillance videos from homes and
businesses police say a blue minivan
that looked like Maddy's was videotaped
on Highway 43 the road Adam told police
he'd taken that morning but according to
a search warrant the time stamps do not
match Adam's timeline the cameras track
the blue minivan until around noon
police say and then there's a 45-minute
Gap
that Gap occurs around Choice Minnesota
police say that is where Adam told them
he realized he took the wrong boxes
turned the van around and drove straight
back to
Winona according to that warrant there
is a 45-minute window that fraval could
not be tracked I mean where was he
during those 45 minutes I mean that was
a big you know the big question right
but with no direct evidence and no sign
of Maddie investigator did not arrest
Adam and he continued to live at his
parents' home with the children
meanwhile Megan continued her updates on
Tik Tok meline still has not been
located
unfortunately um so we're still plugging
along and looking for
her as detectives continued to
investigate they uncovered a new lead a
romantic relationship Maddie had been
having with another another man an army
veteran named Spencer Sullivan I'm
Spencer Sullivan and I was dating meline
kingsburry at the time of her
disappearance and now police were
interested to know Spencer's whereabouts
the day Maddie went
[Music]
missing what do you make of the Gabby
petito comment from Adam which he
claimed to police was a joke
chat now with the 48 Hours team on
Facebook and
X in the spring of 2023 Maddie knew her
relationship with Adam was falling apart
and she was brutally honest with her
father she says you know Dad I know that
I'm in a bad relationship I know my
family knows it I know my friends know
it and I'm embarrassed about it but I
don't know what to do about it but
Maddie had joined Tinder which is where
she reconnected with Spencer who she
knew from
college we were friends on Facebook so I
knew that she had kids I wasn't sure
what the status of the relationship was
exactly with uh Adam prel as it turns
out Spencer also knew Adam from Winona
State he was in the same frat as I was
and tell me about the Adam you knew back
then he and I didn't really talk all
that much Maddie told Spencer that she
and Adam had reached the point of no
return Maddie and Spencer began dating
but quietly we both kind of agreed to
keep it a secret between us until she
was on her own mostly the relationship
was a secret from Adam Mattie's family
and girlfriend knew about it and they
told police about Spencer when Maddy
went missing that's when investigators
called Spencer in for an interview they
were just kind of asking me general
questions about when we had started
dating where were you at this point what
were you doing at this point what were
you doing on March 31st 2023 uh that
morning I was at
work Spencer surrendered his phone while
investigators checked out his Alibi as
they looked into his story they also
learned from Mattie's friends and family
that only 6 days before she disappeared
she finally had told Adam about Spencer
she didn't want to lie and she just it
bubbled up inside of her the this guilt
is it true that Maddie told Adam about
Spencer yeah that's a pretty gutsy thing
to do H we wish she had it all came
pouring out and Megan says M told Adam
she was leaving him and looking for an
apartment where she would live with
their
children did she tell you how Adam
reacted to the news I think she said he
cried and he was really hurt at the time
I'm sure he was personally hurt and
heartbroken all of a sudden you find out
she has feelings for somebody else and
it's over Adam's sister Teresa as well
as his brother Ryan say news of the
breakup hurt them as well because Maddie
was a cherished member of their extended
family Maddie was a sister to all of us
and our hearts are broken uh we lost a
close family member they point out that
although Adam and Maddie always had an
on and off relationship they stayed
together for seven years I was
completely shocked when I learned that
she was dating Spencer behind my
brother's
back Manny's best friend Katie says
tensions between mat and Adam were Sky
High after her Revelation about Spencer
it was the day before she
disappeared she called me
crying and she asked if she could come
work at our house she said that Adam was
hovering over her while she was working
and making comments about some other man
raising his kids and you know are you
really going to leave me for another man
she felt very threatened Maddie left her
house and went to Katie's before ending
up at Spencer's home also in
Winona she came over to celebrate my
birthday with me she brought a couple
donuts that we could split with each
other she had a gift for me it was a
little Lego set Little Star Wars Lego
set I got a a card from her it was a
star wars card that last time you saw
her person to person I remember she's
standing at my front steps she turned
around and smiled at me
and waved and
the last time was
s within days of his interview police
confirmed Spencer's Alibi and returned
his phone eventually police say he was
clear Matty's friend Haley says Spencer
was the best thing to happen to her in a
long time Spencer showed her that she
deserves so much more than Adam Spencer
says he was devast dated in the wake of
madd's
disappearance I thought to myself like
that stuff like this
doesn't doesn't happen here you know we
were talking about her moving into her
new place she wanted me to come over and
help her decorate do stuff
and and the next day she's
gone he says he couldn't stop thinking
about the birthday card Maddie had given
him I think I reread that card at least
100 times
that
like all I could think was
this this kid
sorry 4 days after Maddie vanished her
parents were given temporary custody of
her children my niece and nephew are no
longer in the custody of their father
you know we appreciate the concern for
them but um they're they're in good
hands when Matty's friend Lauren Deo
thought about Matty's children she
recalled a conversation she'd had with
Maddie a month earlier and she reported
it to police she told me that she needed
me to know that if anything were to
happen to her or her children that Adam
did it she would never leave her
children for anything under any
circumstances
[Music]
10 days after Maddie disappeared police
had received a tip that Adam had been
seen riding near his parents' home with
a shovel in his family's utility vehicle
police seized his vehicle and according
to a search warrant kadav dogs alerted
to Ascent in the vehicle and on the
shovel you know it's my understanding
that they are trained and specifically
trained to find human human remains 2
Days Later Adam put out a statement
through his attorneys it read in part I
have cooperated with law enforcement at
every turn I did not have anything to do
with Maddie's disappearance I want the
mother of my 5-year-old and 2-year-old
to be found and brought home safely I
want that more than
anything Maddie had been missing 35 days
when Katie and others gathered to
remember her she was the kindest most
beautiful soul even on the brightest
days it still feels dark and gloomy
without her
here David Kingsbury addressed the crowd
inside a local church we know that mine
is around here
somewhere she just didn't
vanish someone knows something someone
saw something make this your Battle Cry
right where's meline where is she make
it loud and don't stop until she's
[Music]
found go behind the scenes with the 48
Hours postmortem
[Music]
[Music]
podcast for Megan Kings B June 7th 2023
started out like every other day since
Maddie
disappeared hey Tik Tock good morning
happy
Wednesday Maddie still missing please
continue to spread the word about my
sister
meline but hours later we begin the hour
with breaking news out of Southeastern
Minnesota 68 days after Maddie
disappeared a sheriff's deputy found
human s along this lonely Country Road
and while it hadn't been certified by
the medical examiner they were fairly
certain that it was my
daughter was on the floor and like
scream crying you know what do you say
when somebody tells you something like
that there's nothing that you can
say for madd's best friend Katie the
news was shattering her reaction
captured on her video doorbell
[Music]
camera the very next day mti's friends
heard the news from Winona's police
chief law enforcement has confirmed the
remains are those of meline
Kingsbury you can't ever prepare
yourself
for one of your children to die much
less be found somewhere
outside found as she was and she
was wrapped in a gray fitted bed
sheet that had black duct tape around
the
ends and um there was a towel wrapped
around her
head Adam frel was arrested and charged
with second deegree murder the gray bed
sheet wrapped around Maddie according to
the criminal complaint seemed to match a
set found in Matty's
home and the isolated Road where mti's
remains were found according to that
criminal complaint had been maintained
by the fraval family at one point this
area is also close to the township of
choice where Le believe there are 45
minutes unaccounted for in Adam's
timeline this area here in this Culvert
is where mti's body was found someone
left a little angel here to Mark the
Spot mti's autopsy listed her cause of
death as homicidal violence nothing
more and in October 2023 Adam was
indicted on additional first deegree
murder charges Adam's possible motive
for murder in a warrant investigators
alleged Adam was in distress due to his
financial dependence on Maddie and was
upset about the end of their
relationship investigators also learned
that Maddie had a death benefit of
$170,000 but had not listed a
beneficiary she was his his meal ticket
she was the one who provided for them
according to a search warrant when
police entered the couple's house they
noticed that surveillance cameras inside
the home had been removed and former
prosecutor Mary fulin says it's the way
they appeared to have been taken down
that caught detectives
attention they found that the
surveillance cameras that he had
installed have been ripped out that they
were no longer there so all of those are
indicators of you know he's up to
something in consciousness of guilt he
had those down weeks before they were in
the process of
moving Adam's sister and brother say at
one point before Maddie and Adam broke
up the couple was planning to move
together to Adam's parents home we want
people to know that there are two sides
to the
story take for instance those caver dogs
alerting to the utility vehicle and and
shovel Adam's Family says that's because
on the previous weekend their dad used
that shovel to move a dead
raccoon that he used the shovel to pick
it up every time we would try to clarify
anything to the investigators we were
just treated with that like like we're
just delusional I believe Adam
150% that he is innocent he would never
harm Maddie the mother to his children
you know
he'd never do such a
thing Adam's defense team has asked a
judge to suppress Adam's police
interview because they claim he wasn't
read his Miranda rights it's the
interview where he admitted making
comments about Gabby Patito but said he
was only
joking in preliminary hearings his
lawyers also say there is not enough
evidence to Warrant the first-degree
murder charge Adam siblings insist
authorities should take a closer look at
Spencer
Sullivan we're trying to expand uh the
investigator's eyes that something else
could easily have happened what do you
think of
that I mean
they're trying to protect Adam they kind
of need to come to terms with the fact
that my personal opinion uh they got the
right person there's a presumption of
innocence in our legal system of course
that every everybody's entitled to but
there's also the Court of Common
Sense and then the Court of Common Sense
all roads lead to Adam
prel the Kingsbury family is speaking
out now in hopes of saving someone
else that's the reason why we're here
and that's the reason why we're talking
about this because we don't want it to
happen to anybody else this is
emotionally very powerful right now for
you are you you don't blame yourself for
this do you I think we all blame
ourselves to some degree cuz when I
would talk to her I didn't push you know
I wanted her to be able to say things
when she was ready to say things he had
her hooks in her and the kids make it
really
difficult for mti's father whatever the
jury decides there was a larger truth
that haunts him I'll always be the
father of a murdered girl
Spencer Sullivan told us he too feels
haunted by a conversation he and Maddie
had weeks before she vanished she told
me that she was in love with me
fortunately I was too chick to say it
back
but does that bother you every
day I
saw a future with m
and it felt like somebody just ripped
the next 60 years out of my
life for Megan who is so close with her
little sister she still can't imagine a
future without Maddie I feel like even
just saying that we're sisters doesn't
describe being the closeness that we had
we were confidants for each other how do
you want MADD to to be
remembered somebody that mattered mean I
think everything we've seen and heard
from people really affirmed that she
mattered to many many people all of her
friends said she's my best friend she
was everybody's best friend
[Music]
[Music]
a mysterious elness turns fatal followed
by a surprising toxicology report the
medical examiner found tetrah hydroline
in Lin hearnen system how much does your
caregiver know AER is the eye drops I
didn't give her anything 48 hours
Saturday on CBS streaming on Paramount
Plus
[Music]
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