48 Hours: Post Mortem | The Day Maddi Kingsbury Went Missing

Podcast: 48 Hours
Host: Ann Marie Green
Guests: Correspondent Peter Van Sant, Producer Jordan Kinsey
Date: September 2, 2025
Case: Disappearance and murder of Madeline (“Maddi”) Kingsbury

Overview of the Episode

This episode of the "Post Mortem" series delves deep into the disappearance and murder of Maddi Kingsbury, a 26-year-old mother of two from Winona, Minnesota, who vanished on March 31, 2023. Host Ann Marie Green is joined by 48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant and producer Jordan Kinsey, who reported on the case. The trio revisit the pivotal community response, investigative hurdles, early suspicions, and the heartbreak endured by Maddi’s family, highlighting both the human and legal complexities in such a high-profile case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery and Early Coverage of the Case

• Personal Connection: Producer Jordan Kinsey learned about Maddi's disappearance before national attention through a Minnesota court employee, who was friends with both Maddi and her ex-boyfriend, Adam Fravel.
  “I knew sort of before it hit the headlines... Their friends already texting trying to figure out what's going on.” — Jordan Kinsey [02:42]
• Building Sources: Kinsey leveraged local relationships, meeting college friends and connecting with the family, highlighting challenges in gaining access during a sensitive, emotional period.

2. The Town and Community Response

• Community Mobilization: Winona is described as the epitome of “Minnesota Nice,” with a tightly-knit community; over 2,000 locals participated in the search for Maddi.
  • “The entire community mobilized... I’ve never seen anything quite like this. And it was all through Megan and TikTok.” — Peter Van Sant [06:02]
• Role of Social Media: Maddi’s sister, Megan Kingsbury, galvanized public support through raw, daily TikTok updates, some reaching half a million views.
  • “She posted nearly every day for 68 days until her sister’s remains were found.” — Peter Van Sant [04:56]

3. The Emotional Toll and Family Involvement

• Impact on the Family: Megan’s advocacy was both therapeutic and agonizing, making her the public face of the search. The mayor himself joined the search, indicating the deep communal impact.
  • “She went on TikTok... desperate for any kind of tip that could help find Maddie. It was truly heartbreaking.” — Peter Van Sant [04:56]
  • “She comes up and gives him this bear hug. He said he'll never forget, and she wouldn't let go.” (On Maddi’s mother hugging the mayor) — Peter Van Sant [06:44]
• Family’s Pain: Maddi’s father struggled with guilt and helplessness, recalling that he warned Maddi her partner might harm her.
  • “I did tell her at some point he’s gonna kill you.” — David Kingsbury [16:31]

4. Investigation: Myths, Delays, and Dead Ends

• Critical First Hours: The team stresses that the first 12 hours are crucial in missing persons cases. However, police told friends it hadn’t been 24 hours, contributing to critical delays.
  • “I hear that all the time... Usually it is 48 hours because they think, ‘Well, maybe they had a fight.’” — Peter Van Sant [08:50]
• Friends' Suspicion: Friends grew suspicious over Adam Fravel’s dismissive responses.
  • “Why are you doing this?... She hasn't even been gone 24 hours.” — Adam Fravel in text exchange [09:31-09:37]

5. Scrutiny on Adam Fravel

• Gabby Petito Case Reference: Adam told investigators he was infatuated with the Gabby Petito case and allegedly threatened Maddi with a similar fate.
  • “He did tell Maddy if she didn’t listen up, that she would end up like Gabby Petito... but claimed it was only a joke.” — Jordan Kinsey [11:23]
• Legal Concerns: Adam’s defense claims his Miranda rights were not read before the second police interview, which could affect admissibility of statements.
  • “Anytime you begin a new interview, you have to read rights...” — Peter Van Sant [12:43]

6. Allegations of Abuse & Relationships

• Domestic Violence: Texts revealed a physically abusive altercation.
  • “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... Adam said you'll adjust.” — Texts read by Jordan Kinsey [15:39]
• Family & Friends’ Regret: Maddi’s family laments not pushing her harder to leave.
  • “She became a pro at minimizing thing... She wanted to believe that you.” — David Kingsbury [16:45]

7. Evidence and Circumstantial Case

• Timeline Inconsistencies: Surveillance footage contradicted Adam’s account; he had unexplained scratches, which he attributed to a dog.
• Cadaver Dog Alerts: Dogs alerted to a scent on the family UTV and shovel. Fravel family claims it stemmed from moving a raccoon.
  • “Cadaver dogs had alerted to ascent actually on that UTV and the shovel... the family has a reason. They claim... their father had used a shovel to move a dead raccoon.” — Jordan Kinsey [18:45]
• Body Discovered in Familiar Location: Maddi’s remains were found in an area familiar to Adam and his family, following a tip.

8. Motive, Relationships, and the Road Ahead

• Financial Motive: Maddi was the primary provider, working at Mayo Clinic, supporting the family after Adam’s job loss during Covid.
  • “She did everything... financially supported the family with her job at the Mayo Clinic.” — Peter Van Sant [20:55]
• A Love Triangle: Maddi was entering a new relationship with Spencer at the time of her death. Adam’s family suggested authorities should have looked at Spencer (who was cleared).
  • “He was just devastated... the day I interviewed Spencer, it was his birthday, and exactly one year earlier, he'd spent that birthday with Maddie.” — Peter Van Sant [22:39]

9. The Quest for Justice

• Elevated Charges: After discovery of Maddi’s body, charges against Adam Fravel were raised from second-degree to first-degree murder.
  • “After they found Maddie’s body, the charges were elevated... they have something new, right?” — Peter Van Sant [23:55]
• Social Impact: The episode highlights how sharing stories can help prevent future tragedies.
  • “There is going to be one family out there who's going to hear this story and pick up the phone and say, no, I insist you leave.” — Ann Marie Green [24:57]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Community:
  "The entire community mobilized, and you get this situation. As you mentioned earlier, Anne Marie, a couple of thousand people turned out to search. I’ve never seen anything quite like this. And it was all through Megan and TikTok." — Peter Van Sant [06:02]

• Family Intimacy:
  “She comes up and gives him this bear hug... she wouldn’t let go.” (On Maddi’s mother and the mayor) — Peter Van Sant [06:44]

• On Domestic Violence:
  “I did tell her at some point he’s gonna kill you.” — David Kingsbury [16:31]
  “She became a pro at minimizing thing... She wanted to believe that you.” — David Kingsbury [16:45]

• Emotional Impact:
  “I will always be the father of a murdered girl. And that pain... will echo in his life for the rest of his days.” — Peter Van Sant (about David Kingsbury) [23:55]

• Cautious Reporting:
  “We keep going back to Adam Frabel is innocent until proven guilty. And that's where we stand. We need to hear where all the evidence has been presented.” — Peter Van Sant [23:42]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:05-03:14]: Jordan Kinsey shares his introduction to the case and early reporting challenges.
• [04:12-06:02]: Winona’s community response and the role of Maddi’s sister Megan on TikTok.
• [07:56-08:31]: Importance of early action in missing persons cases and law enforcement delays.
• [09:31-10:57]: Friends’ suspicion and Adam Fravel’s dismissive texts.
• [11:23-12:14]: Adam’s infatuation with Gabby Petito’s murder and legal implications over Miranda rights.
• [15:39-16:14]: Texts between Maddi and Adam reveal allegations of past violence.
• [16:31-17:32]: Emotional interview with Maddi’s father, David Kingsbury.
• [18:05-19:48]: Evidence including timeline discrepancies, scratches, cadaver dog alerts.
• [20:55-21:49]: Discussion of motive and the family’s financial dynamics.
• [22:13-22:39]: Spencer’s relationship with Maddi and his heartbreak.
• [23:42-23:55]: Charge elevated from second- to first-degree murder post body discovery.
• [24:57-25:10]: Host Ann Marie Green’s note on the episode’s preventive value.

Resources

• Finding Madeline Kingsbury Facebook page: 28,000+ followers; for case updates.

Conclusion

This emotionally charged episode examines the immense ripple effect of Maddi Kingsbury’s disappearance and murder—on family, friends, and an entire community. Through in-depth reporting and first-hand accounts, the episode provides a thorough overview of the investigative challenges, the family’s fight for justice, and broader issues of domestic violence awareness. Listeners walk away with a poignant reminder of the stakes behind every true crime headline, and the lingering hope that stories like Maddi’s might save another.