Faith Hedgepeth Update: Discovery of DNA prompts profile of UNC student's killer

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Faith Hedgepeth was a biology major at the University of North Carolina who was found dead in an apparent homicide on Sept. 7, 2012.

/ WRAL

(CBS/WRAL) Chapel Hill, N.C. - FBI analysts have issued a profile of the man they believed killed 19-year-old University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student Faith Danielle Hedgepeth after finding DNA evidence in the slain teen's apartment, CBS affiliate WRAL reports.

PICTURES: UNC student found dead

Hedgepeth was found dead in her bedroom at her off-campus apartment in Chapel Hill on Sept. 7, 2012 only hours after she was last seen alive. Police said the 19-year-old and her roommate had gone to a local nightclub called The Thrill the previous night.

The FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit says they believe the killer knew Hedgepeth, possibly lived near her in the past, and may have made comments about her to close associates, WRAL reports. The killer's behavior may have changed after her death, such as an unusual interest in the case or a change in performance at work or school.

Investigators said the North Carolina State Crime Lab found DNA left in the apartment by an unidentified man, WRAL reports. They didn't disclose where the DNA was found, but they expressed confidence that it would lead them to Hedgepeth's killer.

According to WRAL, police have not named any suspects.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Chapel Hill Police Department tip line at 919-614-6363 or Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515 or email information to investigators at crimetips@townofchapelhill.org.

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