Fargo police confirmed Wednesday that 25-year-old Isadora Wengel was the victim of a homicide, though her body remains unrecovered. Joshua Alexander Hite, 21, of Fargo, was arrested Tuesday and charged with murder and tampering with evidence in connection with her disappearance.
Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski announced the developments at a news conference, stating investigators have established probable cause to believe Hite, Wengel’s boyfriend, is responsible for her death and the subsequent attempt to conceal her remains. “Isadora Wengel was heinously murdered,” Zibolski said. “We believe this to be a heinous and diabolical crime, and we believe there may be some dismemberment involved.”
Wengel was initially reported missing by her father on January 7th. The investigation quickly focused on foul play, leading to a search of Hite’s apartment and, later, extensive searches of the Fargo landfill. Despite an initial search warrant executed on January 9th, investigators did not immediately develop sufficient evidence for an arrest, but continued to pursue Hite as a person of interest.
Authorities are now focusing their search efforts on Otter Tail County, Minnesota, believing that is where Wengel’s body was disposed of. Zibolski explained that the timing of the search is critical, given the recent thaw after a period of significant snowfall. “What we’re asking the public to do, from Fargo to Moorhead to Fergus, Battle Lake and Otter Tail County is the following, based on the fact that we know the disposal of her body occurred in extremely cold weather with significant snow on the ground. We now find ourselves in the midst of a mid-winter thaw, which may reveal her whereabouts,” he stated.
Police are specifically requesting the public’s assistance in locating a black, 27-gallon HDX Tough Storage Tote with a red cover. Investigators believe Hite purchased two of these totes, and only one has been accounted for. Zibolski urged residents, particularly in rural areas near roadways in the specified region, to search their properties for the tote or any signs of Wengel. “We’re asking community members in these areas to search their properties, especially those in rural areas near roadways throughout this area we’ve described, for any sign of this type of tote or any sign of Isadora,” he said.
The case could potentially involve federal violations if evidence emerges that Hite transported Wengel’s body across state lines, Zibolski indicated. The investigation has involved multiple agencies and spanned several weeks, including a ten-day search of the landfill with twelve-hour shifts, and search warrants served in both Fargo and Otter Tail County, Minnesota.
Isadora Wengel formerly resided in Perham, Minnesota. Law enforcement has asked anyone with information regarding her disappearance to contact them immediately.
