Overview
- Authorities say they do not believe Wengel is alive and are asking people to look for a 27-gallon black tote with a red lid, noting one of two such totes linked to the suspect is missing.
- Residents in Fargo, Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Battle Lake and rural Otter Tail County are urged to check properties during the mid-winter thaw for the tote or other relevant signs.
- Joshua Hite, 21, was arrested Tuesday outside his Fargo apartment without incident on charges of murder and tampering with evidence.
- Chief Dave Zibolski said investigators believe Wengel was heinously killed and that evidence supports probable cause Hite tampered with the disposal of her body.
- Wengel was last seen on New Year’s Eve in West Fargo and reported missing Jan. 7, prompting multi-agency searches of a south Fargo apartment and landfill areas, with ongoing requests for tips and any Subaru Impreza security footage; tips: 701-451-7660 or text keyword FARGOPD or WFPD to 847411.