Jury Convicts Miguel Salguero Olivares in 2012 Chapel Hill Murder

Miguel Salguero Olivares stood in a Durham courtroom on Friday after a jury returned guilty verdicts on four counts related to the 2012 death of Faith Hedgepeth. The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, rape, sexual offense, and burglary. This conclusion ended a more than decade-long investigation into the death of the 19-year-old University of North Carolina student.

Judge Keith Gregory addressed the family immediately after the verdict. He invited members of the Hedgepeth family to speak and spoke to Olivares before sentencing. Gregory, who was visibly emotional, noted that his own son is one year younger than Faith was at the time of her death. "We're not supposed to watch our children leave this earth before we do," Gregory said.

Faith's mother, Connie Hedgepeth, told the court she felt peace after waiting 14 years for answers. "I'm just glad that we have the closure we need. I have peace and I forgave," she said. She expressed sorrow for Olivares' family as well, describing the crime as a senseless and cruel act. She thanked the Durham County District Attorney's Office, the Chapel Hill Police Department, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the jurors for their work.

Other relatives shared their experiences with the court. Faith's niece, Alexis Evans, said the family would not carry uncertainty into the upcoming holidays. Another relative, Schylar Steverson, described how the loss affected her college preparations and caused years of anxiety. "Today I take back that power," Steverson said. Faith's father, Roland Hedgepeth, spoke to Olivares, stating he had no right to take her life. He said his faith requires him to forgive and that he would pray for Olivares' repentance.

The State Bureau of Investigation released a statement detailing the scope of the investigation. The agency reported that the case took nine years and nine days to solve. More than 25 special agents worked with the Chapel Hill Police Department on the case. Investigators followed thousands of leads, conducted hundreds of interviews, and tested more than 400 DNA samples. The SBI stated it never treated the matter as a cold case because agents continued to pursue active leads throughout the years.

SBI Director Chip Hawley praised the involved agencies for their hard work, determination, and dedication. The agency said the case is now used to train new agents at the SBI Academy. A press conference followed the trial at the Durham County Courthouse on Friday afternoon. Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry, prosecution team members, the Chapel Hill police chief, and members of the Hedgepeth family made statements to the media.