Authorities in Fargo, North Dakota, no longer believe that missing 25-year-old Isadora Wengel is alive. Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski gave an update on the investigation at a press conference on February 11. “What we believe based on the investigation thus far is that Isadora Wengel was heinously murdered,” he said.
Dateline featured Isadora’s case in its Missing In America series, published just hours before authorities announced an arrest. The investigation, which began on January 7 when Isadora was reported missing to the West Fargo Police Department, has required “herculean efforts”, according to Zibolski.
Joshua Hite, 21, was arrested in Fargo on February 10 “without incident,” Zibolski said. “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.” Isadora was believed to be staying with Hite at the time of her disappearance.
Hite was originally detained by law enforcement when Fargo PD executed a search warrant on his Fargo apartment on January 9. Zibolski said that while there was no probable cause to make an arrest at that time, Hite was a “strong person of interest.” Zibolski also said that statements Hite gave as to when he last saw Isadora were found “not credible” over the course of the investigation.
According to Zibolski, Hite’s arrest was made on probable cause, but the evidence — which the chief said he could not comment on — is strong. At this time, the investigation is ongoing as law enforcement searches for Isadora. “There’s still work to be done,” Zibolski stressed. “We want to finish this case and see it to the end.”
Investigators have reason to believe that dismemberment may have been involved in the disposal of Isadora’s body. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement searched the Fargo landfill 10 days in a row. Chief Zibolski did not share if anything of significance was found during those searches.
Fargo PD is calling for the public’s assistance in locating Isadora, directing focus to a black, 27-gallon, “fairly sizable” tote they believe could contain Isadora’s remains. Zibolski stated that two such totes were delivered to Hite’s apartment, but only one was recovered during the search of his apartment on January 9. Fargo PD is now asking residents of Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Battle Lake and elsewhere in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, to search their properties “especially those in rural areas near roadways,” Zibolski said, “For any sign of this tote, or any sign of Isadora.”
Investigators believe the disposal of Isadora’s body occurred with snow on the ground in frigid conditions. “Certainly, someone couldn’t dig into the ground,” Zibolski said. As temperatures rise, so do the chances of finding possible remains. “We find ourselves in the midst of a mid-winter thaw which may reveal her whereabouts,” Zibolski said.
If residents observe anything suspicious they believe could be Isadora’s remains, they should notify their local authorities, or call Red River Dispatch Center at 701-451-7660. “We’d really appreciate the public’s assistance,” Zibolski said. He acknowledged the public’s involvement in the initial search for Isadora, especially the sending of videos. “All of those things that have happened over the last 35 days have been significant in making progress in this investigation.”
Zibolski would not comment on the ongoing investigation into Hite. Instead, he directed all attention toward finding Isadora and the tote. “From the family’s perspective, and the ability to bring this case through the justice system, we really need to locate her,” he said.
“Even with the news that she passed, we still want to find her so we can bring her home and give her a proper burial, and lay her to rest in peace the way that she deserves,” sister Callista Wengel Jones told Dateline. “And we are so, so thankful to everybody who’s gone out on the searches, who’s shared it in the media, who’s reached out to us.”
“We’re committed to justice for the family and accountability for the perpetrator,” Zibolski continued. “This is a crime that is hard to imagine someone could commit. But we believe this is exactly what’s happened.”
Hite has been charged with murder, tampering with physical evidence, and providing false statements. At his initial court appearance on February 13, the judge set bail at $5 million, cash only, according to NBC affiliate Valley News Live. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March. Dateline reached out to Hite’s attorney for comment but has not yet heard back.
Again, if you have information that can help authorities locate Isadora’s remains, the Fargo Police Department asks that you call 701-451-7660. Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting keyword FARGOPD or WFPD to 847411.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated to include comments from Isadora’s sister, Callista Wengel Jones.
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