Community Rallies to Search for Missing Woman in Otter Tail County

Dozens gather in Battle Lake, Minnesota to look for evidence related to Isadora Wengel's disappearance.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Dozens of community members in Battle Lake, Minnesota gathered on Sunday to search for any signs of Isadora Wengel, a 21-year-old West Fargo woman who was reported missing in early January. Police believe Wengel was murdered by her boyfriend, Joshua Hite, between January 3 and January 6. This was the second weekend in a row that volunteers have come out to search the area around Battle Lake, where Hite graduated from high school in 2022, looking for Wengel's remains or other evidence related to her disappearance.

Why it matters

The search efforts highlight the community's desire to bring closure to Wengel's family and hold her alleged killer accountable, despite the lack of physical evidence so far. The case has shaken the small town of Battle Lake, where Hite was known, and the ongoing search demonstrates the town's commitment to supporting the investigation.

The details

Police have charged 21-year-old Joshua Hite with murder, tampering with physical evidence, and providing false information to law enforcement. Authorities say they have received over 70 tips from the public since Hite's arrest. Volunteer search teams have been canvassing the area around Battle Lake, which is known for its many bodies of water, in an effort to locate Wengel's remains or any other evidence related to her disappearance.

  • Isadora Wengel was reported missing in early January 2026.
  • Police believe Wengel was murdered by her boyfriend, Joshua Hite, between January 3 and January 6, 2026.
  • Joshua Hite graduated from high school in Battle Lake in 2022.
  • Volunteer search teams were out canvassing the area around Battle Lake on February 22, 2026.
  • This was the second weekend in a row that community members have come out to search for Wengel.

The players

Isadora Wengel

A 21-year-old woman from West Fargo, Minnesota who was reported missing in early January 2026 and is believed to have been murdered by her boyfriend.

Joshua Hite

A 21-year-old man from Fargo, Minnesota who is charged with the murder of Isadora Wengel, as well as tampering with physical evidence and providing false information to law enforcement.

Chrys Kirschbaum

A community member in Battle Lake, Minnesota who expressed her desire for the town to be known for more than just this tragic case.

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What they’re saying

“This shouldn't be the highlight of the news about Battle Lake. We're so much better than that. But we are coming together, as a small community, out in the cold, and trying to bring her home.”

— Chrys Kirschbaum (kfgo.com)

“Such an awful thing to happen to a young lady with her life so much ahead of her. I'm looking as a mother, her family deserves closure.”

— Chrys Kirschbaum (kfgo.com)

What’s next

The Fargo Police Department says they continue to devote significant resources to the search for Isadora Wengel, and they are hopeful that more tips from the public will help lead them to her remains or other evidence related to the case.

The takeaway

The community's ongoing search efforts demonstrate their commitment to supporting the investigation and providing closure for Isadora Wengel's family, despite the lack of physical evidence so far. This tragic case has shaken the small town of Battle Lake, but the residents' determination to find answers shows the power of a close-knit community coming together in the face of adversity.