Police: Autopsy results confirm human remains found near Mabel are that of Madeline Kingsbury

(ABC 6 News) – The Winona Police Department along with officials from the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota BCA held a news conference on Thursday afternoon to provide new information regarding the investigation into the disappearance of missing Winona mother, Madeline Kingsbury.

Winona Police Chief Tom Williams confirmed the results of an autopsy conducted by the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office that determined the body found along Highway 43 just north of Mabel on Wednesday was that of Kingsbury.

Chief Williams said Kingsbury’s body was found by a Fillmore County investigator on a remote stretch of road along Highway 43 in a wooded area north of Mabel at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Digital evidence of phone and computer data collected by investigators led law enforcement to the area where Kingsbury’s body was found.

The ex-boyfriend and father of Kingsbury’s two children, 29-year-old Adam Fravel, was taken into custody around 5:20 p.m. Wednesday by Fillmore County deputies without incident. Chief Williams said Fravel was arrested based on enough evidence for probable cause on suspicion of second-degree murder.

Officials did not provide any information on charges related to Adam Fravel and whether or not he has been cooperating with law enforcement. Formal charges have not yet been filed.

The location of Kingsbury’s body was off of a low maintenance public road and not on the property owned by the Fravel family or any of their relatives, according to Chief Williams.

Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge said the Fravel property was within “several minutes” of where the body was found.

The area had been previously searched, but Kingsbury’s body was covered and concealed in a manner that was not visible from the roadway, said Chief Williams.

Chief Williams said since Kingsbury went missing on March 31, it has been frustrating, full of heartache and pain for the family, law enforcement and the community. But, during this time the family, community and law enforcement never gave up hope to find Kingsbury.

“Our focus now is to continue to assist the Winona Police Department and use every resource available to us to make sure an accurate and complete investigation is prepared,” DeGeorge said.

Minnesota BCA agent Michelle Frascone said every homicide agent throughout the state has helped investigate the case and over 450 tips were followed up and evaluated.

RELATED: Father of Madeline Kingsbury’s children arrested on suspicion of murder

Madeline Kingsbury’s family released a statement Thursday, confirming her body has been found and expressing confidence that the person responsible for her death is in custody.

RELATED: Family of Madeline Kingsbury: ‘We’re relieved that Madeline has been found,’ believe person responsible was arrested

In a TikTok video posted after the press conference by Megan Kingsbury, Madeline’s sister, said she and other family members were not in attendance. She said from the beginning, she thought that Adam Fravel had something to do with Madeline’s disappearance and that the “right person is in custody and are confident that he will get the punishment he deserves for what he did.”

@megsmpls #madelinekingsbury #maddikingsbury #missingmaddijane #findmadelinekingsbury #adamfravel #viral #boost #minnesota #mn #disappeared #vanished #crime #truecrime #dv #fyp #checkin #missing #missingperson #crimetok ♬ original sound – Megan

Chief Williams said law enforcement officials will continue to follow up on all evidence that has been collected, review all witness statements and to await further autopsy results from the medical examiner’s office.

Earlier this week,  the Winona County Attorney’s Office, representing Winona County Health and Human Services, and the other parties involved, announced they reached an agreement with the Children in need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) case involving the Kingsbury’s two children — ages 2 and 5.

RELATED: UPDATE: Missing Winona woman’s children to stay with Kingsbury family

The CHIPS petition was filed in response to the disappearance of Kingsbury on March 31, who held sole custodial rights. This CHIPS matter is still an open and active case, and Winona County still retains temporary custody of the children. For the time being, the children’s placement will remain unchanged, with the Kingsbury family, until the court makes a determination at a later date.

Watch the full press conference below. If using the ABC 6 News Now app, CLICK HERE.