North Dakota Woman Feared Murdered and Dismembered by Boyfriend
A 25-year-old North Dakota woman who vanished under mysterious circumstances last month is now believed to have been "heinously murdered" and potentially dismembered by her boyfriend, according to Fargo police authorities. Isadora Wengel was last seen at a Walmart store in Fargo on January 3, with her concerned family members officially reporting her as missing to the Fargo Police Department four days later on January 7.
Massive Search Efforts and Chilling Arrest
Wengel's disappearance triggered extensive and intensive search operations across the metropolitan region. Law enforcement officers reportedly worked grueling 12-hour shifts for 10 consecutive days, scouring areas including a local landfill as part of the desperate hunt for clues. However, in a grim development last week, authorities announced the arrest of Wengel's 21-year-old boyfriend, Joshua Alexander Hite, in direct connection with her suspected murder.
"We do not believe that Isadora is alive," Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski stated unequivocally during a somber news conference. "We believe that Isadora was heinously murdered. And we, meaning the police department collectively, have probable cause to believe that Josh Hite, her boyfriend, is the person who murdered and tampered with evidence related to the disposal of her body."
A "Heinous and Diabolical" Crime
Chief Zibolski described the suspected crime as "heinous and diabolical" and indicated that investigators believe dismemberment may have been involved. He issued a public plea, urging residents in the area between Fargo and Otter Tail County, Minnesota, to remain vigilant for any sign of Wengel's remains. The police chief highlighted a critical factor in the ongoing search: the disposal of her body is believed to have occurred during a period of extremely cold weather with significant snow cover. With a mid-winter thaw now underway, authorities hope changing conditions may reveal her whereabouts.
"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," Zibolski explained.
Building a Case: Evidence and Suspicious Activity
Court documents reveal that Hite and Wengel had been dating since August, and Hite claimed she had been staying with him since New Year's Day. Hite told investigators the couple argued on January 4 because he wished to end the relationship, and he alleged he returned her to her home the following day. He further claimed Wengel left her cellphone in his car, prompting him to return it to her residence later that day, where he said no one answered the door, leading him to leave the phone on her deck.
However, investigators characterized Hite as "emotionless" and "not forthcoming." Their scrutiny intensified upon examining data from Wengel's phone, which revealed unusual Snapchat activity on January 4. Photos of ceilings and walls inside Hite's apartment were sent to her mother and another contact; family members later told police these images were "odd and not common" photographs they would typically receive from Wengel.
A subsequent search of Hite's apartment yielded damning physical evidence. Investigators seized items including plastic sheeting, a bathroom mat, bloody gauze, and a saw blade, all of which were found to contain Wengel's DNA. A blue latex glove was also recovered, containing a mixed DNA profile with a majority match to Wengel and a partial match to Hite.
Digital Footprint and Incriminating Purchases
As the investigation progressed, officers uncovered a series of suspicious Google searches allegedly made by Hite on January 4. These searches included queries for "home depot Sawzall," "junk removal near me," "Dumpster," and "how to register for a legal alias." On that same fateful day, police records indicate Hite used the DoorDash delivery service to order a reciprocating saw, plastic sheeting, trash bags, and duct tape.
By the time of his arrest, investigators had also documented recent injuries on Hite's body, photographing cuts on his hands, wrists, knees, and thighs, along with bruising on his lower back.
Charges and the Ongoing Search for Remains
Joshua Alexander Hite now faces serious criminal charges including murder, tampering with physical evidence, and providing false information to law enforcement. He is currently being held in custody on a substantial $5 million bail.
Despite the arrest, Police Chief Zibolski emphasized that the quest for justice remains incomplete as the search for Isadora Wengel's body continues. He made a specific public appeal, asking people to be on the lookout for an HDX 27-gallon tough storage tote, believing Hite may have used such a container to dispose of Wengel's remains. "We know that Mr. Hite had received a specific type of black tote," Zibolski stated. "There were actually two of those delivered to his apartment." While one tote was recovered in January, the other remains missing.
Community Support and Remembering Isadora
In the wake of this tragedy, an online fundraiser established to support Wengel's mother, Heather, and her older sister, Callista, has raised over $14,200. The fundraiser explains that the two women are currently not working as they dedicate themselves to supporting search efforts, navigating the legal process, and planning how to best honor Isadora's life and legacy.
An online obituary remembers Isadora Wengel as a young woman who was "witty, silly, sarcastic, insightful and incredibly empathetic," describing her as "truly a bright light." Her friend, MaLeah Jiminez, offered a poignant tribute: "She's loved and she will continue to be loved." The Fargo community and authorities remain committed, as Chief Zibolski vowed, to achieving "justice for the family and accountability for the perpetrator."
