Search for Isadora Wengel Continues in Battle Lake

Not only did police spot a vehicle allegedly driven by their prime suspect in Otter Tail County, but that same suspect also went to high school in Battle Lake.

BATTLE LAKE, MN (KVRR) – Joshua Hite, the man who stands accused of Isadora Wengel, is from the Battle Lake region, so it is possible he disposed of her remains around that area. If that’s the case – locals want to make sure they do their part to help.

“This shouldn’t be the highlight of the news about Battle Lake,” said Chrys Kirschbaum. “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,” she added.

Hite graduated from high school in Battle Lake in 2022, but on February 22, volunteer search teams were out canvassing as much of his former stomping grounds as possible, looking for the remains of his former girlfriend.

This is the second such community search in as many weekends, following the efforts in Fargo on February 15.

Much like with that one – organizers say they’re heartened by the turnout.

“I thought we’d get less numbers because of the cold, but I’m impressed,” said Kirschbaum. “There’s people from Staples, Hawley, Fargo, and of course our locals.”

Folks began showing up at Lion’s Park around noon, then set off, maps in hand, ready to look around the innumerable bodies of water in the area.

Showing, once again, that even as the criminal case against Hite proceeds without this evidence, people will not rest until Isadora’s family gets the answers they deserve.

The Fargo Police Department says they continue to devote significant resources to the search as well.

They say they’ve received over 70 tips from the public since Hite was arrested.