CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Through court documents, WTVD learned why a man was on investigators’ radar for the murder of a University of North Carolina student found beaten to death on Sept. 7, 2012 in her off-campus apartment.
According to WTVD, authorities used DNA ancestry technology to find Faith Hedgepeth’s killer using DNA found in her rape kit, a wine bottle and a white take-out bag with a vulgar message written by the killer.
The technique identified the suspect’s distant family members, who share his genetic information, according to the report.
Those relatives gave interviews and samples of their DNA, which investigators said helped identify suspect Miguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares, WTVD reported.
Past Coverage:
- DNA match leads to arrest, murder charge in 2012 killing of UNC sophomore
- Vigil to be held for murdered UNC student
- Judge to review evidence in UNC student slaying
- UNC to mark 2nd anniversary of student’s death
- UNC student’s murder mystery becomes center of 20/20 investigation
On Sept. 16, 2021, Hedgepeth’s family joined Chapel Hill police in announcing the arrest of the 28-year-old charged with murder.
“I want to thank God for allowing me to see this day,” said Roland Hedgepeth, Faith’s father, during the news conference.
Her mother, Connie Hedgepeth, added: “Everything will be revealed that happened in Faith’s death.”
According to WTVD, investigators obtained the suspect’s DNA without his consent during a DWI traffic stop two days before the announcement, according to the report. The warrants said the DNA found at the crime scene is a probable match to the suspect. A palm print on the murder weapon -- the wine bottle -- matched the suspect’s left palm, WTVD reported.
Investigators also went to the Salguero-Olvaries’ apartment in Durham. Using a search warrant, they seized six cell phones and a laptop, WTVD reported. Authorities want to see if Salguero-Olivares kept any memories or communications from the crime.
Hedgepeth’s family told ABC11 by phone on Monday that they are still trying to process the information in the search warrant before speaking publicly.
The Chapel Hill Police Department said this case is still an active investigation -- and asked the community for patience.
(WATCH BELOW: DNA match leads to arrest, murder charge in 2012 killing of UNC sophomore)
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