Chapel Hill, N.C. – For the first time since the guilty verdict, two senior SBI investigators are speaking publicly about the painstaking work that led to the conviction of Miguel Salguero‑Olivares for the 2012 murder of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth.

Background and investigation

Faith Hedgepeth was killed in 2012. Chapel Hill Police Department (CHPD) asked the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for assistance around the one‑year anniversary of her death. SBI agents Phillip Stevens, now Assistant Director, and Justin Heinrich, Special Agent in Charge of Special Operations, took over the case in 2013.

Stevens and Heinrich described the investigation as “all‑consuming,” noting that it dominated their thoughts day and night. They praised CHPD’s initial work, calling it “phenomenal,” but saw an opportunity to apply deeper forensic analysis and newer technology.

New technology and expanded effort

Using advanced DNA genealogy, investigators matched Salguero‑Olivares to the crime in 2021. The team also extracted far more data from Hedgepeth’s phone, expanding the record from about 100 pages to nearly 5,000 pages.

More than 25 agents were assigned, swabbing over 400 individuals, interviewing over 100 people, and logging thousands of man‑hours. Heinrich emphasized that the case never truly went cold; there was always a lead to follow.

Challenges and breakthroughs

Stevens explained that the lack of a known connection between victim and suspect made the case especially difficult, likening it to “a needle in a haystack.” He noted that in 99% of homicides he’s worked, a clear link exists.

When the DNA match arrived, Stevens said the moment felt “unlike anything” he’d experienced, and the team worked through the night to prepare for trial.

Training the next generation

Both investigators now use the case as a teaching tool for SBI trainees, urging them to think “outside the box” and document every detail, no matter how small. “We want future agents to pursue investigative techniques that might not be conventional,” Heinrich said.

Salguero‑Olivares was found guilty of murder, rape, a sex offense, and burglary. Hedgepeth’s family offered forgiveness to the killer and thanked the investigators for their perseverance.

Community response

Stevens praised the family’s grace and the community’s support throughout the long process, noting that the investigators remained consistent and compassionate despite the emotional toll.

Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.