CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Chapel Hill police announced there has been an arrest almost exactly nine years after UNC sophomore Faith Hedgepeth was found beaten to death inside her apartment.
Miguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares, 28, of Durham, was arrested Thursday without incident, placed into custody and charged with first-degree murder, police said.
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On Sept. 7, 2012, Hedgepeth, 19, was found murdered in her off-campus apartment. Hedgepeth’s roommate Karena Rosario came home to find Hedgepeth dead. Authorities also said a note believed to be written by the killer was found near her body on a fast food bag.
An autopsy showed Hedgepeth suffered extensive skull fractures and cuts to her face and head, and she was also badly beaten on her arms and legs.
According to WTVD, investigators collected a significant amount of DNA at the scene of the crime. Over the years, officials collected samples from hundreds of men, but had not come up with a match until Wednesday.
The arrest was made through a DNA match, the state attorney general said.
There was a $40,000 reward in the case.
Assistant Police Chief Celisa Lehew said the investigation is not complete, but provided no additional details.
In a statement Saturday, the Hedgepeth family thanked the investigating agencies and asked for prayer moving forward.
Statement from the Hepdgepeth Family:
“Our Faith had a heart of gold and an infectious smile that illumined a room. Although her time on earth was short, Faith had an enormous impact on many. Our lives were forever changed when Faith was taken from us on September 7, 2012. We are relieved to know that someone has been arrested in Faith’s case.
“We thank the members of the Chapel Hill Police Department, NC State Bureau of Investigation, and other agencies that had a hand in the investigation. We are grateful for all the support that we have received, locally and far away, over the past nine years. As we move into this next phase, we ask for your continued support, patience, and understanding as we limit commenting on the investigation.
“Please continue to keep up in your prayers.”
Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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