Community Holds Vigil for Missing Fargo Woman

Isadora Wengel's family and friends gather to honor her memory as the search for her body continues.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:14am

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Hundreds of people filled the Avalon Event Center in Fargo, North Dakota on Saturday night for a candlelight vigil honoring Isadora Wengel, a 25-year-old West Fargo woman who is believed to have been murdered in January. Her body has not been found, and officials are asking the public to help locate a 27-gallon storage tote that may contain critical evidence in the case.

Why it matters

The vigil was organized by the 'Bring Isadora Wengel Home' Facebook group to allow the community to come together and honor Wengel's memory, rather than focus on anger. The event highlighted the importance of community support during difficult times and the ongoing efforts to find justice for Wengel.

The details

The vigil featured speeches from Wengel's father, Brian Landsem, as well as the event organizer, Maleah Jimenez, and Leah Halvorson, the wedding manager at the Avalon Event Center. Officials are asking the public to help locate a 27-gallon storage tote with a red lid that may contain critical evidence in the case. The next search will take place on Saturday, March 21, beginning at 10 a.m. in Battle Lake.

  • The vigil was held on Saturday night, March 14, 2026.
  • Isadora Wengel went missing in January 2026.
  • The next search for the critical evidence tote will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. in Battle Lake.

The players

Isadora Wengel

A 25-year-old West Fargo woman who is believed to have been murdered in January 2026, though her body has not been found.

Brian Landsem

Isadora Wengel's father, who spoke at the vigil.

Maleah Jimenez

The organizer of the 'Bring Isadora Wengel Home' Facebook group and the vigil event.

Leah Halvorson

The wedding manager at the Avalon Event Center, where the vigil was held.

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What they’re saying

“I've had a lot of names; I've had a lot of titles, but there was no title higher than just being called Izzy's dad.”

— Brian Landsem, Isadora Wengel's father

“We can all say that we don't have time to put in that effort in care, or we can all just use a little bit more free will than we think we have and do it because every single person matters. And so, I decided to do it without knowing her and her family.”

— Maleah Jimenez, Vigil organizer

“If we don't come together at times like this, when are we going to come together? I've never met Isadora. I've never met her mom, I've never met her friends, but this is the time we need to come together.”

— Leah Halvorson, Wedding manager at the Avalon Event Center

What’s next

Officials from Fargo to Otter Tail County are asking the public for help locating a 27-gallon storage tote with a red lid that may contain critical evidence in Wengel's death. The next search will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. in Battle Lake.

The takeaway

The vigil for Isadora Wengel highlighted the importance of community support and coming together during times of tragedy, even for those we may not know personally. It also underscored the ongoing efforts to find justice for Wengel and the critical role the public can play in providing information to aid the investigation.