ND Fargo Police Say Search for Isadora Wengel involves ‘large concern of foul play’, reported missing 7 Jan 2026 *arrest*

[GraceG]

He had the totes delivered to his apartment.. despite knowing to be a person of interest.

This is not a person that was thinking cleary. I didn't find any prior criminal court records for him in Cass county.

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

https://www.kxnet.com/news/local-news/joshua-hite-court-appearance/

Bond is set at $5 million dollars, cash only.

 

[AmandaReckonwith]

Fargo Police Chief: Murder investigation ‘All hands on deck,’ focus remains on finding Isadora Wengel

Zibolski said the department’s priority remains finding Wengel’s body and bringing closure to her family.

www.valleynewslive.com

Geez.

Court documents reveal investigators found a saw blade containing Wengel’s DNA, along with biological evidence. Blood matching Wengel’s DNA was found on items recovered from Hite’s apartment.

According to court documents, Hite made suspicious Google searches on Jan. 4, including searches about obtaining aliases. That same day, he ordered a reciprocating saw, plastic sheeting, trash bags and duct tape through DoorDash, court records show.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Last week during a press conference, the chief of police said investigators believe Wengel was "heinously murdered" and announced the arrest of her 21-year-old boyfriend Joshua Hite. Hite is charged with murder, accused of killing and dismembering Wengel.

"This is a crime that's hard to imagine someone could commit," Police Chief David Zibolski said.

Hite and Wengel had been dating since August, according to court documents, and he told authorities she had been staying with him since Jan. 1. He said they had an argument on Jan. 4 because he wanted to end their relationship, and that he brought her back to her home on Jan. 5. Hite told investigators she left her cellphone in his car, and he went back to her home later that day to return it. He said no one answered the door and he left the phone on the deck.

Investigators described Hite as "emotionless" and "not forthcoming" during his interviews.

According to court documents, investigators seized plastic sheeting, a bathroom mat, bloody gauze and a blade all containing DNA evidence from Hite's residence.

Boyfriend of Isadora Wengel, missing North Dakota woman, charged with murder

Police in North Dakota are investigating the suspected murder of 25-year-old Isadora Wengel and believe critical evidence in the case could be found in Minnesota.

www.cbsnews.com

• Isadora Wengel, 25, was last seen on New Year’s Eve and reported missing Jan. 7
• Police say they no longer believe she is alive after a saw blade allegedly bearing her DNA was found in trash outside her boyfriend’s apartment in North Dakota
• Online court records show Joshua Alexander Hite, 21, was arrested Feb. 10 and charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence and providing false information in connection with the case
• https://people.com/police-believe-woman-was-murdered-dismembered-boyfriend-charged-11907408

 

[truthfinder2019]

-Joshua Hite was given a $5 million cash only bail by Cass County Judge Connie Cleveland. He’s charged with murder, tampering with evidence and giving police false information in connection with the death of Isadora Wengel. Police say her body may have been dismembered.

-Fargo attorney Jeff Bredahl explains even though Hite is accused of gruesome crimes, the eighth amendment to the United States constitution assures defendants the right to reasonable bail.

Why do judges give bail to people charged with gruesome crimes?

LISTEN: Jeff Bredahl’s conversation with The Flag’s Steve Hallstrom FARGO, N.D. – Even though some may believe defendants are flight risks or a risk of harming their community, they have a constitutional right to bail. Joshua

www.wdayradionow.com

-During Joshua Hite's Friday morning arraignment, prosecutors revealed he tried to mislead investigators by putting searches into her phone which falsely indicated she died by suicide.​

-charging documents said Hite killed her sometime between Jan. 3 and Jan. 5.
-it's alleged that Joshua also took Isadora's phone and sent messages to her family members after the fact, manipulating them into believing she was alive after her death

Suspect in Isadora Wengel death ordered held on $5 million cash-only bond

During Joshua Hite's Friday morning arraignment, prosecutors revealed he tried to mislead investigators by putting searches into her phone which falsely indicated she died by suicide.

www.grandforksherald.com

The location of this missing tote is believed to be somewhere in the area between the Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo metro area and Otter Tail County, Minnesota, specifically the Fergus Falls, Elizabeth, Underwood and Battle Lake areas.

Authorities announce charges in 'heinous, diabolical' murder of missing woman - Bring Me The News

Isadora Wengel was reported missing on January 7.

bringmethenews.com

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"We believe that Isadora was heinously murdered," he later added. "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 ... We believe this to be a heinous and diabolical crime, and we believe there may be some dismemberment involved."

'There may be some dismemberment involved': Missing woman presumed dead, police say

Police said a missing North Dakota woman is now presumed dead after investigators reportedly found a saw blade with her DNA on it.

nbc16.com

 

[Kittypoo]

Isadora Wengel's boyfriend 'heinously murdered' her, Fargo police chief says​

Joshua Hite was arrested in connection to the disappearance and apparent murder of Isadora Wengel. Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for a tote which may contain her remains.​

residents to be on the lookout for and inform the Fargo Police Department if they find a 27-gallon black tote with a red cover. Two such totes were delivered to Hite’s address, but only one was recovered when officers searched his apartment
the tote is 28.6 inches long, 19.6 inches wide and 15.2 inches high.

Isadora Wengel's boyfriend 'heinously murdered' her, Fargo police chief says

Joshua Hite was arrested in connection to the disappearance and apparent murder of Isadora Wengel. Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for a tote which may contain her remains.

www.inforum.com

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investigators have strong evidence linking 21-year-old Joshua Alexander Hite to Wengel’s death, though her body has not been found.
View attachment 643942

Fargo Police: Missing Woman ‘Heinously Murdered,’ Body Not Yet Recovered

Authorities ask public to search for black tote linked to suspect Joshua Hite

www.valleynewslive.com

If it's found that her body has been carried across state lines, Zibloski said federal authorities will become involved at that point.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FPD at 701.451.7660. Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting keyword FARGOPD or WFPD and the tip to 847411.

Isadora Wengel disappearance: Fargo police believe man dismembered body

The Fargo Police Department says it has arrested and charged a 21-year-old man in connection with the disappearance and death of Isadora Wengel.

www.fox9.com

Oh wow can’t help but wonder what he planned to do with the second tote. I’m just discovering this case late on