Lets share some light on a 7 year old open homicide investigation that happened at
UNC-Chapel Hill.
On September 7, 2020 it will mark 8 years and over 2000 people interviewed and still no arrest have been made, for the Brutal killing of a UNC-Chapel Hill student Faith Hedgepeth in her off-campus apartment.
On the morning of September 7, 2012, at approximately 11:00 am, the Chapel Hill police department received a 911 call from a young woman who identified herself as Karena Rosario. The young woman began the emergency call by saying, “Hi, I just walked in my apartment. My friend is unconscious. There’s blood everywhere.”
According to Rosario, upon returning home she found Faith Hedgepeth lying dead in the bedroom. The 911 Operator, feeling that that young woman was clearly in shock, took time to work with Rosario in uncovering the gruesome scene. Once the operator learned that Faith was cold to the touch, she asked Rosario to back away from Faith and wait for the authorities to arrive, which the caller did.
Faith parents received a phone call that changed their lives forever, that their precious baby girl was found murdered in the apartment she and Rosario shared, and asked to come to the Chapel Hill Police Department. They were not told how she was murdered, but were told that she was badly beaten.
Unfortunately for Faith’s family and all that loved her, the way she died was not disclosed until 2 years after her death. At that time, it was revealed she was killed by blunt force trauma to the head, but the facts of the object used was not disclosed.
The entire case of Faith Hedgepeth’s murder has been shrouded in secrecy. When probed, the police would only release small bits of fact.
The previous night, Hedgepeth and Rosario had gone to a Chapel Hill nightclub. A 2016 “pocket dial” voicemail revealed Hedgepeth, another woman and two men were having a heated conversation at the club a few hours before she was killed.
Police also have found what they think is the murder weapon — a bloody Bacardi rum bottle — and a handwritten note on a fast-food bag left near Hedgepeth’s body on the bed that read, “IM NOT STUPID BITCH JEALOUS.” Police believe the killer wrote the note. A picture of it is below.
Police also have focused on two of Rosario’s former boyfriends: Eriq Takoy Jones IV, who was under a protective order to stay away from Rosario’s apartment, and Brandon Edwards, who also was friends with Hedgepeth. Police found text messages between Edwards and Hedgepeth on the day her body was found.
Hedgepeth’s murder has been featured on multiple crime shows, including “20/20” in 2016 and the Investigation Discovery channel show “Breaking Homicide” in 2018.
Police say they have shared everything that is publicly available at this time. Since Hedgepeth’s death, police have interviewed over 2,000 people and collected more than 100 DNA samples. None has been a match, they also said the number of suspects was narrowed to 10.
While new forms of DNA testing and genealogical testing are being used to analyze the evidence, police officials said they still need the public to share any information that might help find Hedgepeth’s killer.
Faith families continue to believe that someone knows more about Faith case than they have been willing to tell us. Their pleading to that person or people to come forward so their family, friends, and tribe can have some closure.
Her family began a scholarship in her honor, entitled “Faith’s Smile.” This project is a labor of love that has brought a sense of unity and pride to Faith’s legacy
Her family and her tribe still pray they will see that day when justice is served to help them all heal from Faith murder.
They also pray that it will not take another seven years.
More than $40,000 in reward money has been pledged from multiple people and groups for information that leads to an arrest.
Anyone with information can contact investigators at 919-614-6363. If you get the voicemail, the investigators ask that you leave a message and someone will return your call. Police officials ask that only people with information about the case call that number.
If you have information but want to remain anonymous, you can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515 or make a report at http://www.crimestoppers-
For more information about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women; https://www.csvanw.org/mmiw/.
Connie Hedgepeth & Roland Hedgepeth YouTube plea to the public for help finding the person or persons responsible for the death of their daughter in 2014:
We will continue to pray for Justice for Faith. I believe with all of my heart she was lured back to her apartment to be murdered. I have followed her case for several years. I am also Native American and a parent. I know God is going to reveal the truth because His Word tells us that what is done in the dark will come to the light!!
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