A chilling case has emerged in North Dakota where a young man is accused of a gruesome crime. The boyfriend of the missing woman, Isadora Wengel, is charged with dismembering her body using tools he allegedly ordered through DoorDash to his residence, subsequently disposing of her remains across state lines.
Authorities arrested 21-year-old Joshua Alexander Hite following an extensive investigation into the vanishing of 25-year-old Isadora Wengel. She was last seen by her family on December 31 and was officially reported missing on January 7.
The Fargo Police Department has stated, “The investigation so far leads us to believe that Isadora Wengel was brutally murdered.” They added that they have sufficient grounds to suspect Hite, her boyfriend, of murdering Wengel and tampering with evidence related to the disposal of her body.
Police described the crime as “heinous and diabolical,” indicating that dismemberment might have been involved.
On February 10, 2026, Joshua Alexander Hite was taken into custody in connection with the disappearance of Izzy Wengel in North Dakota. (GoFundMe/Cass County)
Evidence, including video and forensic findings, points to Hite’s involvement in covering up the potential murder. Court documents, cited by Valley News Live, reveal that Hite was discovered with fresh cuts and bruises on his body, and he allegedly misled both law enforcement and Wengel’s family about her whereabouts.
Hite allegedly accessed Wengel’s phone from Jan. 4 to Jan. 5 and sent unusual Snapchat photos of ceilings and walls of his apartment to her mother and another contact, the outlet reported. Wengel’s relatives then told investigators that the photos were “odd and not common photographs they would receive from Wengel,” according to the documents.
The boyfriend also claimed he saw Wengel Jan. 5 when he allegedly dropped her off at her home. Surveillance footage, however, indicated that Wengel was not in his vehicle at that time, Valley News Live reported.
Isadora Wengel was reported missing Jan. 7, 2026. (GoFundMe)
Officials found disturbing Google searches on Hite’s phone Jan. 4, including “how to register for a legal alias” and “home depot Sawzall,” a brand-name high-powered reciprocating saw, documents reportedly said.
A recovered Home Depot receipt dated on the same day also showed the purchase of a Milwaukee Sawzall reciprocating saw, a carbide saw blade, clear plastic sheeting, extra-large trash bags and black duct tape, the outlet continued. Authorities believe the items were delivered by DoorDash at roughly 10:30 a.m. that day.
Isadora Wengel was last seen wearing a white cardigan with pink hearts near Fargo, N.D. (Fargo Police Department)
Numerous items containing a DNA profile matching Wengel were also seized from Hite’s apartment and surrounding areas, including a 12-inch Diablo Steel Damon Carbide Sawzall blade. Black garbage bags containing bloody plastic sheeting, Wengel’s Halloween costume, a blue latex glove, a bathroom mat, plastic sheeting, medical gauze and towels were also recovered.
During the body disposal, police say, Hite may have used a Subaru Impreza to transport the remains in a large 27-gallon storage box to Otter Tail County, Minnesota, roughly one hour away by car, between 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.
A Subaru Impreza may have been used to transport Wengel to Minnesota. (Fargo Police Department)
Police speculate that because the ground was frozen with significant snowfall at the time of the disposal, the suspect likely could not dig into the ground. They believe the tote may have been covered with snow or placed in a low-lying area but said they are hopeful the “midwinter thaw” will reveal it.
“Based on the fact that we know the disposal of her body occurred in extremely cold weather with significant snow on the ground,” police said, “we now find ourselves in the midst of a midwinter thaw, which may reveal her whereabouts.”
Hite faces charges of murder and evidence tampering after an investigation by regional law enforcement agencies.
