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Faith Hedgepath’s grieving parents ‘thank God’ after shock arrest of suspect in UNC student’s murder nine years ago

FAITH Hedgepath’s grieving parents have revealed they “thank God” after the shocking arrest of a suspect in the University of North Carolina student’s 2012 murder.

The parents of Faith Hedgepeth spoke out after police made an arrest in the UNC sophomore’s murder, nine years after the UNC sophomore was raped and beaten to death.

Student Hedgepeth, 19, was found dead in her apartment in 2012

Youtube/CBS17Speaking at a news conference on September 16, Faith’s mother Connie said: ‘When I got news this morning I didn’t do anything but cry’[/caption]

The Chapel Hill Police DepartmentMiguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares is facing charges of first-degree murder[/caption]

Investigation DiscoveryA handwritten note was found next to her body[/caption]

Miguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares, 28, was arrested “without incident” on Thursday and is facing charges of first-degree murder.

Police have not said what connects Salguero-Olivares to Faith.

Despite not knowing what the connection is, Faith’s parents are thankful a suspect has been arrested.

Speaking at a news conference on September 16, where Chapel Hill Police Department announced the arrest, Faith’s mother Connie said: “When I got news this morning I didn’t do anything but cry.

“And thank God and praise God because I put it in his hands and it was his timing.

“I don’t know why it took so long but I just know that it was him.”


Connie continued by thanking the police department and anyone that “had a hand in helping to investigate this case.”

“When I cried it was tears of joy. Tears of relief knowing that someone has been arrested in this case,” she added.

She said she continues to ask God for this case to be resolved, saying: “Please let it not be too long.”

“I just ask everyone to continue to keep us in your prayers… and always remember her,” Faith’s mom concluded during the press conference.

Faith’s dad Roland took to the podium just moments after his wife, admitting he “didn’t have a lot to say.”

Her teary-eyed father said he was “thankful to see this day” as it’s “been a long nine years.”

After thanking the police department, friends, family, and the other agencies who helped in the case, Roland said: “It was an honor to be Faith’s dad.”

Chapel Hill Police Chief Chris Blue spoke before Faith’s parents at the news conference.

Blue said: “Patience will be asked of you. This story will take time to completely unfold.”

Assistant Chief Celisa Lehew added: “This investigation is not complete. Our work is not done.”

Attorney General Josh Stein said: “Yesterday, with a sample provided by law enforcement of the suspect, the state crime lab generated a match to a DNA profile derived from the original crime scene.

“As a result, an arrest nearly a decade in the making has been made. To the murderers and rapists, no matter how long ago you committed your crime, we will never stop coming for you.”

A 2016 computer-generated composite of the suspect also matches the description of Silguero-Olivares today, officials said.

University of North Carolina student Hedgepeth, 19, was found dead in her off-campus apartment on the morning of September 7, 2012.

Her roommate Karena Rosario told police there was “blood everywhere.”

A handwritten note was found next to her body, written on a fast-food bag, which read “I’m not stupid, b***h, jealous.”

Hedgepeth and Rosario had been on a night out together before the teen was found dead.

Rosario had left their off-campus home in the early hours and when she returned later that morning is said to have found her friend dead.

Chief Blue had said in 2014: “What we lack is that key piece of information that can help us connect the strong case with the killer.”

Hedgepeth had been beaten over the head with a blunt instrument and raped before she died.

She was a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Native American tribe recognized by the state of North Carolina,

Faith earned a Gates Millennium Scholarship to attend UNC and she had hopes of becoming a pediatrician or teacher.

Investigation DiscoveryFaith Hedgepath, 19, was found dead in her dorm in 2012[/caption]

Investigation DiscoveryCops at the scene of the grisly murder nine years ago[/caption]

Investigation DiscoveryFaith, 19, was in her sophomore year at UNC[/caption]

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