Onopgeloste Mysterie: Faith Hedgepeth
This week a slightly different story, because it is not completely ‘unresolved’ anymore. And thankfully so. A little over a month ago, on September 16, 2021, someone was finally arrested for her murder. And honestly: I really didn't expect it at all, that someone would actually be caught for this horrific murder, but there are still many questions about the how, what, and why, because the person who was ultimately arrested was initially not a suspect at all.
If I had to predict it, I would have had a completely different person in mind as the perpetrator. Well, let's just start: the murder of student Faith Hedgepeth, born on September 26, 1992, in Warren County, North Carolina. An eager student with good grades, a cheerleader, and a member of many clubs at school. It was no surprise that Faith went on to study after her diploma. She did so with a full scholarship at the University of North Carolina. Unfortunately, she never completed her studies: when she was in her third year in 2021, she was found dead by a friend in her apartment.
She had been struck multiple times on her head with a large, blunt object (which later turned out to be an empty drink bottle) and sperm and male DNA were also found on her. She was last seen alive earlier that morning when she returned from a night out at a nightclub. At that time, she was with her roommate.
What made this case so special was, first of all, the note that was found with Faith's body. It read: ‘I’m not stupid, bitch, jealous.’ Additionally, a phone call from the night Faith was last seen also came to light. She had called a friend without realizing it, a pocket dial that went to voicemail, and it was quite disturbing. It is not clear what exactly is being said, but experts say they hear Faith crying, another female voice saying ‘I think she’s dying’, to which a male voice responds with ‘Do it anyhow.’ You can listen to that voicemail here.
Many eyes were on Faith's roommate, named Karena Rosario (nickname: Rosie). She had gone to a bar called The Thrill with her, where they encountered Rosario's ex (Eriq Takoy Jones). At 2:38 AM, the two girls were seen heading home, but that is not the last sign of Faith: at 3:40 AM, Brandon Edward, also an ex of Rosario, received a text from Faith: ‘Hey b. can you come over here please. Karena needs you more aha. You know. Please let her know you care.’
Three minutes later, he received another text with the word ‘than’ in it. Three quarters of an hour later, at 4:27 AM, Rosario left the apartment, only to return around 11 AM — and then she discovered Faith's body. What happened in the meantime and why did Rosario leave? She called the emergency number, but that conversation is also so... Strange. Listen for yourself. Experts believe it is a fake call, that Rosario is pretending.
And to be honest: I thought so too. The friendship between the two roommates turned out not to be all sunshine and rainbows and that seemed to stem from jealousy on Rosario's part. And then that note, isn't that all just a bit too coincidental? But then in September of this year, an arrest was made. Miguel Salguero-Olivares, 28 years old, is set to appear soon for the murder of Faith. He was linked by a DNA match, but had not been previously considered in this case.
The police have also stated that there are still many questions about this case that need to be answered in the coming time. Do you want to read more about it? Check it out here. I feel like her roommate still knows much more than she lets on, but hopefully we will finally get answers to that within not too long.
Image: abcnews.go.com
