The last time Isadora Wengel’s family saw her was on New Year’s Eve. Days turned into a week, then a desperate search began, culminating in a chilling revelation that would grip a region with horror.
Joshua Alexander Hite, Isadora’s boyfriend, now stands accused of a crime so brutal it defies easy description: the dismemberment and disposal of her body. The investigation, swift and relentless, painted a picture of calculated deception and unimaginable violence.
Police believe Hite meticulously planned the horrific act, even utilizing a food delivery service to acquire the tools needed. A receipt surfaced, detailing the purchase of a powerful reciprocating saw, plastic sheeting, heavy-duty trash bags, and duct tape – all delivered to his apartment on the morning of January 4th.
The first cracks in Hite’s story appeared with a series of bizarre Snapchat photos sent to Isadora’s mother and a friend. Instead of the usual images, they received pictures of ceilings and walls, unsettling and out of character for Isadora, raising immediate alarm.
Hite claimed he’d dropped Isadora off at her home on January 5th, but surveillance footage told a different story. She was never in his vehicle. This lie, coupled with disturbing Google searches on his phone – “how to register for a legal alias” and “Home Depot Sawzall” – deepened the suspicion.
Forensic evidence began to mount, revealing recent cuts on Hite’s hands, wrists, knees, and thighs, along with bruising on his lower back. These injuries, investigators believe, are consistent with attempts to conceal a violent struggle and the gruesome task that followed.
A search of Hite’s apartment yielded even more damning evidence. Items containing Isadora’s DNA were discovered, alongside a saw blade matching the one purchased, bloody plastic sheeting, and even a piece of her Halloween costume.
Authorities suspect Hite used a Subaru Impreza to transport Isadora’s remains in a large storage box to a rural area in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, a journey of roughly an hour. The timing, between 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., suggests a desperate attempt to remain undetected.
The frozen ground and heavy snowfall at the time likely prevented a traditional burial, leading investigators to believe the storage box was either concealed under the snow or placed in a low-lying area. Now, a hopeful wait for the spring thaw may reveal the location of Isadora’s remains.
The Fargo Police Department has described the crime as “heinous and diabolical,” and Hite now faces charges of murder and evidence tampering. The investigation continues, driven by a commitment to bring justice for Isadora and closure to her grieving family.
