Madeline Kingsbury – live: Missing Minnesota mom’s final texts revealed as family slams ‘gossip’ about search

Andrea Blanco and Oliver O'Connell

April 10, 2023, 4:36 PM·20 min read

The last known communication from Madeline Kingsbury has been revealed as the search to find the missing Minnesota mother-of-two rumbles on into its second week.

Megan Kingsbury said that she received a final, lighthearted text message from her sister at around 8.15am on Friday 31 March.

“We were chuckling about a funny photo exchange between us, and that was the last communication with me, or with any of my family or her other friends,” she told Fox News.

Ms Kingsbury, 26, has not been seen or heard from since.

Winona Police said she and the father of her children dropped their two children off at daycare at around 8am that morning and returned home home. He told police he then left at around 10am in Ms Kingsbury’s car, returning hours later to find her gone.

A huge search has been under way to find Ms Kingsbury ever since, with over 2,000 people joining in. It’s unclear if anything has been found but Ms Kingsbury’s family urged the public not to “gossip” about any discoveries.

“If you are participating in a search party PLEASE keep any and all findings within your group and Law Enforcement,” they said.

Key points

Madeline Kingsbury vanishes on 31 March after daycare dropoff
Father of children says he borrowed her blue van
Police hone in on journey made in missing mom’s car
Mom-of-two’s final text revealed
Search scaled back after over 2,000 join hunt for missing mom
Family slams ‘gossip’ about search discovery

Family release photos of Madeline Kingsbury’s tattoos

05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Madeline Kingsbury’s family have released several photos of her distinct tattoos in hopes that they could help locate the mother who has now been missing for a week.

The photos were included in a post on the “Find Madeline Kingsbury” Facebook page which sought to debunk false speculation on the case.

No persons of interest in Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance

01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Winona police have said that there are currently no suspects and no persons of interest in the case.

However, they appear to be focusing on the movements of Ms Kingsbury’s minivan – and are asking for the public’s help in tracing its journeys on the day of her disappearance.

Chief Tom Williams confirmed that the vehicle is not missing and that both the van and Ms Kingsbury’s home have been searched.

Surveillance footage has captured a vehicle matching the description of the van was captured driving from the home along highways and through Winona County and Fillmore County before heading back to the house.

After the vehicle returned home, it is not believed to have gone anywhere else.

During Thursday’s press release, police refused to say who was driving the van.

“That is not information we can share at this time,” they said.

The police chief said that there is “nothing to indicate that she left the residence on foot or in another vehicle”.

The two children are safe and there does not appear to be any threat to the public, police said.

Authorities say they will continue search efforts in target areas

Sunday 9 April 2023 21:59 , Andrea Blanco

The Filmore County Sheriff’s Office and the Winona County Police Department announced on Saturday that more than 2,600 volunteers helped comb through vast areas during massive searches over the weekend.

“As we develop new leads and new search areas, teams of law enforcement will do targeted searches,” a statement by the departments read.

“We are not giving up and we want to thank everyone for their continued support for Maddi and her family.”

Authorities have asked residents in the City of Winona, Wilson Township, and Hillsdale Township to search their acreage, wooded property, outbuildings, vehicles and trails for “anything suspicious”.

Dive teams and police ATVs have also been used in the search. The Winona Police Department said on Saturday that search efforts will be scaled back but the investigation remains ongoing.

What do we know about Madeline’s last movements?

Sunday 9 April 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Winona police have offered scant details about the day of Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance.

What we do know is that Ms Kingsbury and the father of her children dropped their two children – aged two and five – off at daycare at around 8am on 31 March.

At around 8.15am, the mother-of-two returned to her home.

Her whereabouts after this time remain a mystery.

She failed to show up for work – something that police said was “very unlike her” – and her cellphone, wallet, ID and the jacket she was wearing that morning were all found inside the home.

The father of her children told investigators that he left Ms Kingsbury’s home at around 10am that morning, driving off in her 2014 dark blue Chrysler Town and Country minivan.

He said that he returned later that day and found Ms Kingsbury wasn’t home.

Friends and family members tried to contact the 26-year-old that day but couldn’t get hold of her.

Again, police said this was unusual behaviour for her.

“Based on all this we believe Madeline’s disappearance is involuntary, suspicious and we’re all concerned for her safety,” said Winona Police Chief Tom Williams.

Megan Kingsbury asks public to spread the word about missing sister

Sunday 9 April 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Megan Kingsbury posted a TikTok on Wednesday with updates about the search for her missing sister Madeline.

Megan said she, relatives and family friends have been driving through Winona County, where Madeline lived, and Fillmore County.

The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office previously requested assistance from residents in Winona and nearby townships to search their property.

Madeline Kingsbury’s sister speaks out a week after disappearance

Sunday 9 April 2023 14:24 , Andrea Blanco

The sister of Madeline Kingsbury has said that her family became worried when the missing mother-of-two stopped answering her phone.

“This is very unlike her,” Megan told Fox News. “She’s not the type of person who would want to take a break and not tell anybody. If she had a problem and wanted to get away, she would come to my house.”

Megan said that the last text she received from Madeline was at 8.15am on the day that she went missing.

“We were chuckling about a funny photo exchange between us, and that was the last communication with me, or with any of my family or her other friends,” Megan said.

Madeline was last seen in Winona on 31 March shortly after she dropped her children off at daycare with their father.

The father, who has not been described specifically by police as her husband, said they returned home and he departed for work in her van at around 10am.

Megan refused to answer questions about Madeline’s husband, asking instead that the focus remained on finding Madeline.

“There’s a lot of speculation, of course, with people coming up with theories and asking us a lot of questions that we can’t answer,” she told Fox. “We just want to keep the focus on finding her. We’re asking people keep their eyes and ears open.”

What we know about Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance

Sunday 9 April 2023 13:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Last Friday morning, Madeline Kingsbury dropped her two young children off at their daycare in Minnesota.

She was never seen or heard from again.

Now, one week on, a desperate search is underway to find the missing 26-year-old “Maddi” whose disappearance has been described as “involuntary” and “suspicious”.

Rachel Sharp reports.

What we know about missing mother Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance

Recap: What happened to Madeline Kingsbury?

Sunday 9 April 2023 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Madeline Kingsbury, a 26-year-old mother of two children, was last seen on 31 March.

According to the police, Ms Kingsbury and her husband returned to their home in Winona after dropping off their kids at daycare on Friday.

The husband said he left for work in Ms Kingsbury’s van, around 10am local time, and returned later in the day only to find his wife gone.

Ms Kingsbury did not show up for work that day or respond to “numerous” calls and messages from friends and family. She also failed to pick up her children from daycare that afternoon, which the police said was “extremely out of character for her”.

Huge turnout for mass search on Friday

Sunday 9 April 2023 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

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Volunteer search leaders warn against family harassment

Sunday 9 April 2023 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The official Facebook page for Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance has put out a stern statement indicating that members of the missing mother’s family have been targets of harassment over the course of the search.

A post on the “Finding Madeline Kingsbury” page late Thursday night states: “We want to address something that has been brought to our attention. We will not condone the harassing of Maddi’s family or friends for information.

“When there is an active investigation, they do not need to disclose every detail for any number of reason. More often than not though, it’s to protect the victim or to not jeopardize their chances at catching the perpetrator and pressing charges. If there is information we can share, it will be shared via the page.

“We post this information so that people can be aware but we will not post info like that anymore if people are going to harass family, friends and businesses that may be involved. And that would be a huge disservice to Maddi. It is completely inappropriate and we will not tolerate it.”

What do we know about Madeline’s last movements?

Saturday 8 April 2023 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Winona police have offered scant details about the day of Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance.

What we do know is that Ms Kingsbury and the father of her children dropped their two children – aged two and five – off at daycare at around 8am on 31 March.

At around 8.15am, the mother-of-two returned to her home.

Her whereabouts after this time remain a mystery.

She failed to show up for work – something that police said was “very unlike her” – and her cellphone, wallet, ID and the jacket she was wearing that morning were all found inside the home.

The father of her children told investigators that he left Ms Kingsbury’s home at around 10am that morning, driving off in her 2014 dark blue Chrysler Town and Country minivan.

He said that he returned later that day and found Ms Kingsbury wasn’t home.

Friends and family members tried to contact the 26-year-old that day but couldn’t get hold of her.

Again, police said this was unusual behaviour for her.

“Based on all this we believe Madeline’s disappearance is involuntary, suspicious and we’re all concerned for her safety,” said Winona Police Chief Tom Williams.

Maps show areas of priority in search for Madeline Kingsbury

Saturday 8 April 2023 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The Winona Police Department has requested assistance from neighbouring authorities in the search for missing mother-of-two Madeline Kinsley, 26.

The department has also asked residents in the City of Winona, Wilson Township, and Hillsdale Township to search their acreage, wooded property, outbuildings, vehicles and trails for “anything suspicious” that may help find Madeline.

A map of priority areas was shared by the law enforcement agency on Wednesday.

No suspects in week-long search for Madeline

Saturday 8 April 2023 14:17 , Andrea Blanco

Fillmore County Sheriff John DeGeorge said on Friday that there are no suspects in the investigation.

The department has asked residents in the City of Winona, Wilson Township, and Hillsdale Township to search their acreage, wooded property, outbuildings, vehicles and trails for “anything suspicious” that may help find Madeline.

A map of priority areas was shared by the law enforcement agency on Wednesday.

“Walk your acreage, check your buildings, check your vehicles, walk trials, check your cameras, surveillance cameras, doorbell cameras, your trail cameras for any indications of anything suspicious or for any sign of a dark coloured Chrysler Town & Country minivan,” he said, according to Postbulletin.com.

What we know about Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance

Saturday 8 April 2023 13:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Mother-of-two Madeline Kingsbury has not been seen for a week.

Now, investigators are honing in on the last known travels of her minivan.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp reports:

What we know about missing mother Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance

Family release photos of Madeline Kingsbury’s tattoos

Saturday 8 April 2023 09:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Madeline Kingsbury’s family have released several photos of her distinct tattoos in hopes that they could help locate the mother who has now been missing for a week.

The photos were included in a post on the “Find Madeline Kingsbury” Facebook page which sought to debunk false speculation on the case.

Madeline Kingsbury’s sister pleads for her safe return

Saturday 8 April 2023 05:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Kingsbury’s elder sister, Megan, addressing the media on Wednesday, offered a $50,000 reward for information on the missing woman’s whereabouts.

“To be honest I don’t know everything,” she said about the current investigation into her sister’s disappearance.

“Madeline is many things. She’s a mother, sister, daughter, best friend, granddaughter, niece. It’s a long list.

“Madeline is a hard-working and dedicated mother. Family is everything to her and she’s grown into an impressive and beautiful young woman.

“Please help us find Madeline. The children need their mother. We need our daughter, our sister, our aunt, our best friend back. We just want to find her, so, thank you.”

Daycare drop-off, a blue van and missing mother-of-two — what we know so far

Saturday 8 April 2023 01:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Last Friday morning, Madeline Kingsbury dropped her two young children off at their daycare in Minnesota.

She was never seen or heard from again.

Now, one week on, a desperate search is underway to find the missing 26-year-old “Maddi” whose disappearance has been described as “involuntary” and “suspicious”.

Rachel Sharp outlines what we know so far about Madeline’s disappearance.

What we know about missing mother Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance

Watch: Aerial footage shows extent of today’s search

Saturday 8 April 2023 00:30 , Oliver O'Connell

What do we know about Madeline’s last movements?

Friday 7 April 2023 23:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Winona police have offered scant details about the day of Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance.

What we do know is that Ms Kingsbury and the father of her children dropped their two children – aged two and five – off at daycare at around 8am on 31 March.

At around 8.15am, the mother-of-two returned to her home.

Her whereabouts after this time remain a mystery.

She failed to show up for work – something that police said was “very unlike her” – and her cellphone, wallet, ID and the jacket she was wearing that morning were all found inside the home.

The father of her children told investigators that he left Ms Kingsbury’s home at around 10am that morning, driving off in her 2014 dark blue Chrysler Town and Country minivan.

He said that he returned later that day and found Ms Kingsbury wasn’t home.

Friends and family members tried to contact the 26-year-old that day but couldn’t get hold of her.

Again, police said this was unusual behaviour for her.

“Based on all this we believe Madeline’s disappearance is involuntary, suspicious and we’re all concerned for her safety,” said Winona Police Chief Tom Williams.

Maps show areas of priority in search for Madeline Kingsbury

Friday 7 April 2023 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

The Winona Police Department has requested assistance from neighbouring authorities in the search for missing mother-of-two Madeline Kinsley, 26.

A map of priority areas was shared by the law enforcement agency on Wednesday.

Almost 2,000 turn out for search, second planned for Saturday

Friday 7 April 2023 21:54 , Oliver O'Connell

Nearly 2,000 people came out to assist in the search for Madeline Kingsbury on Friday and now authorities are organising another mass search for Maddi for Saturday, ABC 6 reports.

“First and foremost—Thank you to all the volunteers, fire departments and first responders who aided in the search today. There was a large amount of area searched and we had over 1,860 volunteers in the two search areas.“

Ben Klinger, Winona County Emergency Management Coordinator

If you are willing to volunteer, registration will be from 9am – 11am at either:

Winona County -Goodview Fire Department, 4135 5th St, Winona MN
Fillmore County Rushford-Peterson School, 1000 Pine Meadows Lane, Rushford MN.

Volunteers will be assigned and bussed to the search areas.

What do we know about Madeline’s last movements?

Friday 7 April 2023 21:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Winona police have offered scant details about the day of Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance.

What we do know is that Ms Kingsbury and the father of her children dropped their two children – aged two and five – off at daycare at around 8am on 31 March.

At around 8.15am, the mother-of-two returned to her home.

Her whereabouts after this time remain a mystery.

She failed to show up for work – something that police said was “very unlike her” – and her cellphone, wallet, ID and the jacket she was wearing that morning were all found inside the home.

The father of her children told investigators that he left Ms Kingsbury’s home at around 10am that morning, driving off in her 2014 dark blue Chrysler Town and Country minivan.

He said that he returned later that day and found Ms Kingsbury wasn’t home.

Friends and family members tried to contact the 26-year-old that day but couldn’t get hold of her.

Again, police said this was unusual behaviour for her.

“Based on all this we believe Madeline’s disappearance is involuntary, suspicious and we’re all concerned for her safety,” said Winona Police Chief Tom Williams.

Megan Kingsbury asks public to spread the word about missing sister

Friday 7 April 2023 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Megan Kingsbury posted a TikTok on Wednesday with updates about the search for her missing sister Madeline.

Megan said she, relatives and family friends have been driving through Winona County, where Madeline lived, and Fillmore County.

The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office previously requested assistance from residents in Winona and nearby townships to search their property.

No persons of interest in Madeline Kingsbury’s disappearance

Friday 7 April 2023 20:15 , Oliver O’Connell