By: Anna Ballweber
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Nearly two months after Isadora Wengel was first reported missing, the man charged with her murder has an official trial date set.
Joshua Hite is scheduled to stand trial May 13, 2026, as investigators continue searching for Wengel’s body and a key piece of evidence.
Wengel, 25, was last seen at a Fargo Walmart on Jan. 3 at 5:05 p.m. Her family reported her missing on Jan. 7. Her body has not been recovered, despite several community-led searches.
Hite was arrested Feb. 10 after court documents revealed extensive forensic evidence linking him to Wengel’s death. According to those documents, Wengel’s DNA was a match on multiple items recovered from his Fargo apartment.
He is charged with murder, tampering with evidence, and providing false information to law enforcement.
Fargo police said their primary focus is still locating a missing 27-gallon HDX black storage tote, which investigators believe is connected to Wengel’s disappearance.
Two community-led searches have taken place, spanning from Fargo to Otter Tail County. Neither search located Wengel’s body or the black tote.
Hite’s defense attorneys previously filed and were granted a change of judge, replacing Judge Connie Cleveland with Judge Steven McCullough.
Hite is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on March 31, followed by a pre-trial conference May 11, before the official trial date of May 13.
A website has been created in Wengel’s memory. It includes lists of her favorite things, photos, and a memory wall where community members can post written messages remembering the 25-year-old.
A candlelight vigil is also planned for March 14 to honor Isadora’s life. The event starts at 7 p.m. at the Avalon Events Center.
According to vigil organizers, anyone who attends is asked to join not in anger, and instead, focus on her memory.
