Faith Hedgepeth and Miguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares

FINALLY JUSTICE: Arrest Made for the Murder of 19-year-old UNC Student, Faith Hedgepeth

North Carolina authorities have a suspect in custody, in connection with the 2012 death of University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill student, Faith Hedgepeth.

According to WRAL, Chapel police arrested Miguel Enrique Olivares on Thursday and charged him with first-degree murder. He’s accused of killing Faith, who was just 19 when she died.

Faith was found beaten to death inside her in her friend’s off-campus apartment in Chapel Hill, on September 7, 2012. Autopsy reports indicate she was cut, bruised, and suffered a skull fracture. She was found partially nude with a blanket wrapped around her, in a bedroom seeping with blood.

NBC News reports that investigators found a fast-food bag near Faith’s body, with a hand-written note stating, “IM NOT STUPID. BITCH,” and “JEALOUS.”

At the beginning of the investigation, according to Chapel Hill Assistant Chief of Police Celisa Lehew, Olivares wasn’t considered a person of interest. However, Olivares’ DNA sample sent to the State Crime Lab matched DNA found at the crime scene.

“When I got the news this morning, I didn’t do anything but cry, and thank God,” Faith’s mother, Connie Hedgepeth, said. “When I cried, it was tears of joy, tears of relief, knowing that someone had been arrested in her case.”

Faith earned a scholarship to UNC and would have been the first in her family to become a college graduate. She wanted to become a pediatrician and eventually return home and help her community in Warren County.

The story is developing. Check back for updates.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to a previous episode on the case below. 

Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most — your children.

[Featured Photo: Police Handout]