DNA evidence points to a male suspect in the death of Faith Hedgepeth, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe of North Carolina, police said on Tuesday.

Hedgepeth, 19, was a student at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was found dead in her apartment near campus on September 7, 2012.

Based on an analysis of DNA evidence and other information, police say Hedgepeth knew her killer, who may have spoken about her in the days leading up to her death. His demeanor likely changed after the murder, according to authorities.

“I believe this case will be solved,” father Roland Hedgepeth told The Daily Tar Heel after the information was released by police. “I believe they’ve marked a new beginning.”

Get the Story:
Police profile male suspect in Hedgepeth homicide (The Daily Tar Heel 1/9)
Police: Killer likely knew Hedgepeth (The Durham Herald-Sun 1/8)
FBI: Break in Hedgepeth case (The Henderson Dispatch 1/8)
DNA Evidence Provides Break in Native Student's Murder Case (Indian Country Today 1/8)

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Reward of $25K offered over death of Haliwa-Saponi woman (9/12)
Haliwa-Saponi Tribe in mourning after death of young woman (9/10)