Durham, N.C. – After more than 14 years of waiting for justice, the family of Faith Hedgepeth gathered in the Durham County Courthouse on Friday to hear the verdict in the 2012 murder of the UNC student.

Judge Keith Gregory invited members of the Hedgepeth family to address the court. Faith’s mother, Connie Hedgepeth, expressed a sense of peace, saying, “We’ve been waiting for a long time, over 14 years. I’m just glad that we have the closure we need. I have peace and I forgave.”

Faith’s father, Roland Hedgepeth, also spoke, describing his daughter as “a gift from God” and emphasizing that his faith calls him to forgive. “The God I serve tells me I have to forgive,” he said, adding he will pray for the convicted man’s repentance.

Other relatives shared their relief. Niece Alexis Evans thanked the community for its support and noted the loss still reverberates through every family event. Cousin Schylar Steverson, who was 19 when Faith was killed, said the verdict restores power to the family and prayed the perpetrator would never again have power over them.

Law‑enforcement and prosecution praised

Judge Gregory, visibly moved, thanked the Durham County District Attorney’s Office, the Chapel Hill Police Department, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for their perseverance. He noted his own son is a year younger than Faith, underscoring the personal impact of such tragedies.

The SBI released a statement highlighting the nine‑year, nine‑day investigation that involved more than 25 special agents, thousands of leads, hundreds of interviews, and over 400 DNA samples. The agency emphasized the case was never considered a cold case and is now used to train new agents at the SBI Academy.

“The SBI is glad this chapter has found resolution for the family, friends, and all who worked diligently over the years to bring justice and closure,” the statement read. SBI Director Chip Hawley praised the “hard work, determination, and dedication” of the investigators and prosecutors.

Community response

The courtroom was filled with members of the Durham community, many of whom have followed the case since the initial investigation. Their presence reflected the collective desire for justice and the healing that comes with accountability.

As the family prepares for the upcoming sentencing, they remain hopeful that the legal process will continue to reflect the values of forgiveness, faith, and the rule of law that guided their statements today.

Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.