MINNESOTA (KTTC) – Adam Fravel, the man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his children, Madeline Kingsbury, was sentenced to life in prison without the potential for release.

Fravel was convicted in November of each of the four charges against him, including first-degree murder.

In a Winona courtroom, Kingsbury’s loved ones came face to face with her killer. Describing the gut sinking feeling they felt on March 31, when they couldn’t get ahold of Madeline.

“Little did I know that this was the beginning of the end,” Madeline’s mom Krista Hultgren said.

Their lives are now forever changed, with many questions unanswered.

Winona County Judge Nancy Buytendorp listens to a victim impact statement from Holly... — Winona County Judge Nancy Buytendorp listens to a victim impact statement from Holly Waterston, stepsister of Madeline Kingsbury, at the Winona County Courthouse in Winona, Minn. on Tuesday Dec. 17.(Saskia Hatvany Winona Daily News | MGN)

“Why did he kill Maddi? Why didn’t he tell people that he killed Maddi, so people didn’t have to search for her? Why doesn’t he tell people now, so everyone doesn’t have to be at the trial? The question of why remains for us all,” stepsister Holly Waterston said.

David Kingsbury, Madeline Kingsbury's father, leaves the stand following his victim impact... — David Kingsbury, Madeline Kingsbury's father, leaves the stand following his victim impact statement for Adam Fravel's sentencing hearing at the Winona County Courthouse in Winona, Minn. on Tuesday, Dec. 17.(Saskia Hatvany Winona Daily News | MGN)

Madeline’s dad David Kingsbury describing her murder as an intolerable weight, asking the judge to put themself in his shoes.

“69 days spent searching desperately for her, nights staring into darkness wondering where she was, wondering if she was alive or dead, or wondering if we would ever find her,” David Kingsbury said. “For my final goodbye to my beautiful daughter, I held her, talked to her, sung to her and promised we would get her justice. She was in a body bag.”

Megan Hancock, reliving the pain of saying goodbye to her sister in a body bag.

“How can I tell you what it was like to feel how much of her was already gone? To hold her hand through a body bag to know that she was right there,” Hancock stated.

Hancock went on to talk about her recent wedding day, and how her sister should have been her maid of honor, but that choice was stolen by Fravel.

“My wedding day was one of my happiest days, but it was also one of my hardest. I didn’t want to get married without her, but that choice was made for me by somebody else. That is one of the worst parts, is that we have no choice,” Hancock said. “Madeline is gone. Every holiday, every special event, every milestone we have no choice we have to carry on without her.”

Megan Hancock, Madeline Kingsbury's sister, delivers her victim impact statement during Adam... — Megan Hancock, Madeline Kingsbury's sister, delivers her victim impact statement during Adam Fravel's sentencing hearing at the Winona County Courthouse in Winona, Minn. on Tuesday, Dec. 17.(Saskia Hatvany Winona Daily News | MGN)

Following the Kingsbury family’s emotional words, Fravel only had two things to say.

“I never caused harmed Maddie, and I am innocent,” Fravel stated.

Fravel’s Defense Attorney Zachary Bauer told the judge they disagree with the jury’s guilty verdict, and he will be using his right to an appeal.

In the end, Fravel was sentenced on only one count of first-degree premeditated murder. He will spend the rest of his life behind bars at the correctional facility in St. Cloud.