FARGO, N.D. (CCSAO) – The Cass County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) has reviewed the currently available evidence and is charging the Defendant, Joshua Hite, with Murder, a class AA Felony, Tampering with Physical Evidence, a class C Felony, and False Information to Law Enforcement, a class A Misdemeanor.

Hite is scheduled for his first court appearance at 9am on Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Cass County Courthouse.

In a previous news release issued by Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski, He said, “Isadora Wengel was heinously murdered and we, meaning the police department collectively, have probable cause to to believe that Josh Hite, her boyfriend, is the person who murdered and tampered with evidence related to the disposal of her body.” He added, “We believe this to be a heinous and diabolical crime, and we believe there may be some dismemberment involved.”

Investigators have indications that Wengel’s body may be in Otter Tail County, Minnesota and are asking for the public’s assistance in searching secluded areas around Battle Lake and Fergus Falls, Minnesota.