The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding the “involuntary and suspicious” disappearance of a 26-year old woman from Winona, Minn., who was last seen the morning of Friday, March 31, while dropping off her children (ages five and two) at daycare and has not had contact with family or friends since.
Madeline Kingsbury did not show up to work for Mayo Clinic that day, nor did she pick up her children from daycare that afternoon. Numerous calls and messages from friends and family went unanswered, reported to be extremely out of character for Kingsbury.
The Sheriff’s Office is conducting an investigation and has canvassed several areas for clues as to where Kingsbury or her 2014 dark blue Chrysler Town and County minivan may have traveled. Focus has been narrowed to the areas of Winona, Wilson Township and Hillsdale Township in Winona County, and eastern parts of Fillmore County including Norway Township, Preble Township, northern Newburg Township, eastern Holt Township and eastern Amherst Township.
Video is sought from security cameras, doorbell cameras or trail cameras containing footage of a dark colored Town and Country minivan traveling through these areas between Friday, March 31, at 8 a.m. and Saturday, April 1, at 4 p.m.
Officials ask property owners in these areas to search acreages, wooded property, outbuildings, vehicles and trails for signs someone passed that way, or for signs of a disturbance that may help find Kingsbury. Anyone who has searched an area should email the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office at search@co.fillmore.mn.us to describe the area and method used to search. Searching in pairs is encouraged and anything suspicious should not be disturbed. Contact law enforcement immediately to allow them to investigate.
During a live update on KTTC news, Winona Police Chief Tom Williams said, “It is known that Kingsbury returned to her home around 8:15 a.m. A van similar to Kingsbury’s van is believed to have been spotted travelling County Road 12 and Highway 43 in Winona County, then southbound on Highway 43 through the eastern part of Fillmore County. Later, the van travelled back toward Winona on Highway 43. This is believed to have happened between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. March 31. They believe the van remained parked in Madeline’s driveway from 1:30 p.m. on that day.”
Chief Williams said it is not believed Kingsbury travelled by foot from her home. Her phone, jacket wallet and ID were found in her residence. Officials believe the disappearance to be involuntary, suspicious and all are concerned for her safety. Search efforts are ongoing on foot, in vehicles and by water.
Additionally, Kingsbury’s sister spoke during the conference to share more about her sister and her children. Officials mentioned Kingsbury’s children are safe.
The family of Madeline Kingsbury has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to her location. A new Facebook page “Finding Madeline Kingsbury” has been created as a source for ongoing search information and coordination.
Weekend search
Local organizations are supporting search efforts across counties as communities come together to locate Kingsbury.
On Friday, April 7, and Saturday, April 8, mass searches were organized with hubs in Goodview and Rushford, Minn. Nearly 2,000 volunteers turned out to search for Kingsbury, leading to a substantial amount of ground coverage in a short amount of time.
Authorities Saturday announced the end of the large organized search. The announcement from the Winona Police Department said, “As we develop new leads and new search areas, teams of law enforcement officers will do targeted searches.”
The search for Kingsbury is not ending. Agents from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension remain on the ground with other agencies standing by ready to assist.
If anyone has noticed anything suspicious or have video footage to share, contact the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office at 507-765-3874 (Option1), or the Winona Police Department at 507-457-6302. Anonymous tips may be phoned in at 800-222-8477.
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