Social Media Reacts to Faith Hedgepeth Homicide Investigation Update

Nine years and nine days after the murder of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth, an arrest has been made and a man is in custody following a match in DNA evidence obtained from the crime scene. The news triggered reactions from the UNC and Chapel Hill communities across social media Thursday afternoon.

Hedgepeth was a 19-year-old UNC sophomore when she was found beaten to death in 2012 in her off-campus apartment near the Durham-Chapel Hill town limits.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper shared his gratitude for the teams that have been working on this case for almost a decade.

Thanks to the NC State Bureau of Investigation, the State Crime Lab, Chapel Hill Police and other law enforcement who worked relentlessly and have never given up on solving the murder of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth more than 9 years ago. Arrest made this morning. – RC

— Governor Josh Stein (@NC_Governor) September 16, 2021

NC Attorney General Josh Stein appeared at the Chapel Hill Police Department’s Thursday press conference announcing the arrest of Miguel Enrique Salguero-Olivares. Addressing the years between Hedgepeth’s murder and the subject’s arrest, Stein said “sometimes, justice is swift. Other times, it takes longer.”

Attorney General @JoshStein_ on our commitment to testing DNA and solving crimes: “To the murderers and rapists: no matter how long ago you committed your crime, we will never stop coming for you.”

— NC Attorney General (@NCAGO) September 16, 2021

UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz also spoke at Thursday’s press conference. He told the media: “Carolina is a different place because of Faith.” He also recognized on Twitter those that have continued to work on this case.

Thanks to our campus and community partners, including @ChapelHillPD and state investigators, for their perseverance in Faith Hedgepeth's case. Today, our hearts are with Faith’s family and loved ones as we continue to honor her life and memory. https://t.co/sx4sbsL5U1

— Kevin Guskiewicz (@KevinGuskiewicz) September 16, 2021

Members of UNC Faculty and the Tar Heel community also took to social media following Chapel Hill PD’s announcement, sharing raw emotions and new questions in reaction to the news.

https://twitter.com/sara__pequeno/status/1438603668870287364

https://twitter.com/PennyRich/status/1438599483114332162

Watching the news conference on the arrest of a suspect in #FaithHedgepeth's case:
Where are the voices of the impacted youth and indigenous folks?

Where are the voices of those who would complicate the narrative of carceral feminism?#JusticeforFaith

— 🌻 Swati Rayasam 🌻 (@SwatiRayasam) September 16, 2021

Nine years.

— Ross Martin (@RossMartinNC) September 16, 2021

Wow…this is big news for one of the most frustrating cases in our area. https://t.co/ZCtRg9NhCY

— Jones Angell (@JonesAngell) September 16, 2021

The homicide investigation will remain an active and ongoing case until the Durham County District Attorney tries the case in court.

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Social Media Reacts to Faith Hedgepeth Homicide Investigation Update

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