Trial Begins for Suspect in 2012 UNC Student Murder
Miguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares faces charges of first-degree murder and rape in the death of Faith Hedgepeth, whose body was found with a taunting message.
Fourteen years after Faith Hedgepeth, a University of North Carolina student, was found murdered, a trial has commenced for the man accused of her killing. Miguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares, 33, appeared in court Wednesday to face charges of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense, and first-degree burglary.
Hedgepeth, a 19-year-old junior, was discovered by her roommate in their off-campus apartment on September 7, 2012. She was found naked and severely beaten. Investigators noted a disturbing message etched on a fast-food bag discovered next to her body, which read: "I'm not stupid b***h jealous."
No arrests were made for nine years following the murder. Salguero-Olivares was taken into custody on September 16, 2021. Authorities reported that DNA evidence recovered from a rape kit, a wine bottle, and the take-out bag helped identify a distant relative of Salguero-Olivares. Subsequent interviews and DNA sampling led investigators to the suspect.
During the trial's first day, Hedgepeth's roommate, Karena Rosario, testified about the morning she found her friend. Rosario described entering the bedroom and finding Hedgepeth's comforter disturbed, with her friend lying off the bed, showing signs of a violent assault. Rosario, who considered Hedgepeth like a sister, expressed the deep bond they shared.
Hedgepeth was an honor student studying biology, with initial plans to become a doctor before changing her major to education. She was also a member of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe and grew up in Hollister, North Carolina.
An autopsy report released in 2014 detailed extensive skull fractures and cuts to Hedgepeth's face and head, along with severe bruising to her arms and legs. The report concluded that she died from blunt force trauma. Hedgepeth and Rosario had returned home from a local club around 3 a.m. on the night of the murder, and Rosario last saw Hedgepeth alive when she left the apartment at approximately 4:30 a.m.
Salguero-Olivares has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His mother previously stated her belief in his innocence, asserting he did not know the victim.
