Miguel Salguero-Olivares Sentenced to Life for 2012 Murder of UNC Student

Miguel Salguero-Olivares received a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole following a guilty verdict for first-degree murder, rape, sexual offense, and burglary. The judge added additional prison time for the remaining convictions. His defense team stated that they plan to appeal the decision.

The case began on the morning of September 7, 2012, when roommates found 19-year-old Faith Hedgepeth dead in an off-campus apartment. Police determined that blunt force trauma to the head caused her death. They identified a Bacardi bottle found in the bedroom as the likely murder weapon. Investigators also found evidence that Hedgepeth had been sexually assaulted.

A note written on a takeout bag was discovered in the room. It read: "I'm not stupid, b, jealous." Police collected DNA from the crime scene that belonged to an unidentified male. For the next decade, authorities chased more than 1,800 leads without success. Chapel Hill Police Chief Celisa Lehew noted that they spent an exorbitant amount of time on every tip because they had nothing else.

In 2021, investigators used single nucleotide polymorphism technology to analyze the DNA. This method allowed them to research family ties through genetic genealogy. The analysis linked the DNA to an individual of Latino ancestry. Combined with physical attribute data and a social media photo, police identified Salguero-Olivares, who was 19 at the time of the murder.

Police arrested Salguero-Olivares in September 2021 after matching his DNA to the sample from the crime scene. He denied knowing Hedgepeth. His trial began in September 2026, where he pleaded not guilty. The defense argued that roommate Karena Rosario knew more than she admitted, pointing to red stains on her hand that she claimed were vomit from red slushies.

Prosecutors countered with DNA evidence and handwriting on the takeout bag that appeared to match Salguero-Olivares. The defendant declined to testify, and his defense presented no evidence. The jury returned its verdict after reviewing the case details.

Hedgepeth grew up in Hollister, North Carolina, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe. Her father, Roland Hedgepeth, described her as a godsend in his life. Her mother, Connie Hedgepeth, remembered her daughter as lively and ready to tackle the world. The community has established the Faith's Smile Memorial Scholarship to support Native American freshmen. She is also remembered by the MMIW Memorial Grove, which supports families affected by the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls epidemic.

The "20/20" episode "Justice for Faith" aired on October 30 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. The episode streamed on Disney+ and Hulu the following day.