Missing mother Madeline Kingsbury’s emotional family pleads for mysterious case

The older sister of a Minnesota woman who went missing last week and has not been seen since was comforted by family members at a news conference on Wednesday as she pleaded for the public’s help alongside police.

Madeline Kingsbury, 26, was last seen on the morning of March 31st. After dropping off their children at daycare, Kingsbury and her husband returned to their home in Winona. The husband told police he went to work in Kingsbury’s van, only to find his wife gone when he returned to the residence.

“As you can obviously see, this is extremely difficult for Madeline’s family,” Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension public information officer Bonney Bowman said after Kingsbury’s sister Megan offered a $50,000 reward for information about Madeline in an emotionally charged plea whereabouts suspended.

Speaking on behalf of her family, Megan Kingsbury told the press “to be honest I don’t know everything” about the current investigation into her sister’s whereabouts, instead offering glimpses into the life of Madeline and her two young children, whose eyes she said ” sparkle” like her mother.

“Madeline is many things. She is mother, sister, daughter, best friend, granddaughter, niece. That’s a long list,” Megan said, her voice breaking.

“Madeline is a hard working and dedicated mother. Family means everything to her and she has 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 thanks.”

On the morning she went missing, Madeline and her children’s father dropped the children off at daycare just after 8:00 a.m. She didn’t show up for work or pick up the kids from daycare, which, according to Winona’s Police Commissioner Tom Williams, “is very unlike her.” He added, “We’re concerned about safety.” She has responded to numerous attempts by family members to contact her not reacted.

Williams said investigations found Madeline returned home after dropping off the children around 8:15 a.m. The father spoke to law enforcement and told them he left the apartment at 10:00 a.m. only to return home to find Madeline missing.

“We believe Maddi’s disappearance is involuntary and suspicious and we are all concerned for her safety,” Williams said, adding that there is no indication she left the home on foot or in another vehicle. Her cell phone, wallet and ID were found in the house.

Police say they received surveillance video showing a van similar to Madeline’s — a dark blue 2014 Chrysler minivan — exiting and returning from the area of ​​her home between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Friday, Williams said.

Authorities said they could not release any information at this time about who was driving it but asked local residents to check cameras on their property, including doorbells and security cameras. “Look for someone passing by, look for a dark blue minivan,” Williams said. “If you have a camera, please save all videos from March 31st and contact law enforcement.

At this time there is no suspect, the police are investigating the case as a missing person with the prospect of third-party negligence.

Officials and volunteers have searched nearby areas, including in vehicles, on foot, by sea and by air.

“We’re very confident that we’ll find her,” Williams said.

Kingsbury is described as 5ft 4 with brown hair and hazel eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or the Winona Police Department at 507-457-6288.