Man convicted of killing UNC student Faith Hedgepeth 14 years after her death
The University of UNCChapel Hill seal is displayed on a brick walkway on campus on August 31, 2025 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
A man accused of killing University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student Faith Hedgepeth 14 years ago was convicted Friday of first-degree murder, rape, sexual offense and burglary.
Miguel Salguero Olivares, 33, was arrested in 2021 after a DNA sample collected during a drunken-driving stop allegedly matched evidence from the crime scene. Prosecutors said his DNA, fingerprints and palm print were found on or near evidence connected to Hedgepeth’s death.
The backstory:
Hedgepeth, 19, was beaten to death in her off-campus apartment in September 2012. Prosecutors said Salguero Olivares’ DNA was found in Hedgepeth’s body, on a note written on a fast-food bag and on a blood-covered rum bottle identified as the weapon.
What they're saying:
"We know who did it. The forensic evidence is screaming his name," prosecutor Angela Garcia-Lamarca said during closing arguments.
The other side:
Defense attorneys argued investigators had "tunnel vision" and falsely accused Salguero Olivares. They questioned the handling of the crime scene and the reliability of some DNA evidence.
"No matter what kind of mistakes were made or things that were missed, it doesn’t erase the palm print; it doesn’t somehow lift the DNA out of Faith," special prosecutor Lisa Coltrane said.
Dig deeper:
Jurors deliberated for six hours over two days before reaching a verdict. Salguero Olivares was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder, plus 45 to 65 years for the other charges.
Hedgepeth’s parents told the judge they forgave their daughter’s killer.
"It was just three weeks after her death. It didn’t matter who done it, I knew that I had to forgive, and I do forgive, but my heart aches for his family," Connie Hedgepeth said.
"Today it got very real," Roland Hedgepeth said. "Nevertheless, I say it without reservation, I forgive Miguel for what he did."
The Source: The Associated Press contributed to this report. The information in this story came from court testimony, closing arguments and sentencing proceedings in the trial of Miguel Salguero Olivares. This story was reported from Los Angeles.