>>Remains found in far southeast MN are those of Madeline Kingsbury, missing since late March
(Winona, MN) — The Winona Police Department has confirmed that remains discovered Wednesday near Mabel in far southeastern Minnesota are those of Madeline Kingsbury, who was missing for over two months. Investigators say digital evidence led a Fillmore County Sheriff’s deputy to 26-year-old Kingsbury’s body off a low-maintenance public road. The area had been previously searched, but the body had been concealed so it was not easily visible. Winona County Sheriff Tom Williams says Adam Fravel (FRAY-vl), Kingsbury’s ex-boyfriend and father to her two young children, is in custody on suspicion of intentional second-degree murder. The sheriff says law enforcement is steadfast in its commitment to hold accountable anyone involved in Madeline’s disappearance. Williams says, “We are asking everyone to respect the family’s privacy and allow them the time to grieve and mourn the loss of Maddie.”
Madeline’s sister, Megan Kingsbury, released the following statement on behalf of the family:
“We’re relieved that Madeline has been found after months of intensive searching and grateful for the extraordinary efforts by law enforcement, other first responders, and volunteers. We’re certain that the correct person has been arrested, will be appropriately charged, and convicted of his crimes. Things are moving in the right direction there and we look forward to getting justice for Madeline. For right now we will mourn as a family and properly and respectfully lay her to rest.”
>>Man Charged with Murder after Burn Victim Identifies Attacker
(Center City, MN) — Authorities say a man who was doused in gasoline and set on fire in the middle of the night in his home in east-central Minnesota’s Harris was able to name his attacker before he died. 34-year-old Dallas Evenstad of Albertville is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree assault in connection with a Sunday fire in Fish Lake Township that killed 69-year-old Charles Stene and injured 41-year-old Amy Nord. A motive hasn’t been determined, but Nord told investigators that Evenstad had threatened Stene’s daughter in the past.
>>Cooke Park Body Identified
(Rochester, MN) — Rochester police announce the identity of a Rochester man found dead. 61-year-old Carl Blade was found by Rochester Parks and Recreation staff around Cook Park Wednesday morning. The cause of death has yet to be released.
>>Second Person Charged in MN Coach Death
(St. Paul, MN) — A 18-year-old is the second person charged in connection to the death of St. Paul youth hockey coach, Michael Brasel. In the criminal complaint filed Thursday, Ta Mla was charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder for Brasel’s death on May 6. 17-year-old Kle Swee, his accomplice, was charged a month ago in juvenile court for two counts of the same crime; Klee has now also been moved to adult court. Mla’s next hearing is scheduled for June 12, with Swee’s next hearing on June 29. A GoFundMe account to support Brasel’s wife and 2 sons has raised more than $230,000.
>>Brooklyn Center Man Sentenced for Staged Arson, Political Attack
(Minneapolis, MN) — A Brooklyn Center man will spend two-and-a-half years in federal prison for a staged arson attack, defrauding his insurance company, and collecting thousands of dollars in donations. Thirty-year-old Denis Molla initially told police that someone set his camper on fire because it had a Trump flag and that they painted “Biden 2020” and “B-L-M” on his garage. Molla received 61- thousand dollars in fraudulent insurance claims and 22 thousand in GoFundMe donations. He later admitted that he lit the Trump flag on fire and was not targeted by political activists. Molla pleaded guilty to wire fraud.
>>President Gabel’s Last Day at U of M
(Minneapolis, MN) — This is President Joan Gabel’s last day (Fri) at the helm of the University of Minnesota as she prepares to become chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, and interim U-of-M President Jeff Ettinger takes over tomorrow. The Board of Regents is beginning the search process for a permanent successor. Outgoing U-of-M President Gabel is vacating the official residence at Eastcliff so it can be readied for Walz, who will live there while the Governor’s Residence in Saint Paul is being renovated.
>>Midwest Regional Forensic Lab Wins Award
(Anoka, MN) — The Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory at the Anoka County Sherriff’s office is being recognized by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors as a Project FORESIGHT Maximus Award Winner. The Maximus Award is given to the top 15 performing forensic science laboratories in the world, with labs having to operate at 90% or better of peak efficiency. This year, the Midwest Regional Forensic Laboratory was the only lab in Minnesota to receive the award.