FARGO, N.D. (TCN) — A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the disappearance and death of his girlfriend, who was last seen Dec. 31, 2025.
KMSP reports the Fargo Police Department arrested Joshua Alexander Hite in connection with the death of Isadora Wengel, 25. He was charged with murder and tampering with evidence.
Fargo Chief of Police David Zibolski said, “We believe this to be a heinous and diabolical crime, and we believe there to be some dismemberment involved,” KMSP reports.
Zibolski said authorities believe Wengel’s body was disposed of during a midwinter freeze, possibly in one of the black tote bags recovered from Hite’s apartment during a search.
Valley News Live reports Wengel was last seen by her father on Dec. 31, 2025, and was reported missing on Jan. 7. On Jan. 10, authorities announced they believed foul play was involved in her disappearance. Over the course of the following weeks, they reviewed security footage, ran license plates, and followed up on potential leads. The investigation also involved a 10-day landfill search.
Hite was detained in early January during the initial search warrant execution but was released. He remained a person of interest while investigators worked to develop probable cause for his arrest, according to Valley News Live reports.
Inforum reports Hite and Wengel were dating at the time of her disappearance and she was staying at his apartment. Police say two 27-gallon black tote bags were delivered to his address during the course of the investigation, but only one was recovered during the search of his apartment. Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating the other one; Zibolski said that the upcoming thaw will lead to more opportunity for discovery.
Inforum reports Zibolski said, “We know at the time this happened certainly someone couldn’t dig into the ground, so someone trying to dispose of something quickly might just cover it up with snow or put it in a low-lying area with snow, which could now be located.”
Investigators believe Wengel’s body may be in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, KFGO reports.
According to KSMP, federal authorities will become involved if it is determined that Wengel’s body was moved across state lines. Valley News Live reports that Hite remains held in jail.
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