20/20 shows composite of what Faith Hedgepeth's killer may look like

WTVD logo
Saturday, September 24, 2016
20/20 delves into Faith Hedgepeth's murder
Four years after Faith Hedgepeth was found brutally murdered, police have granted ABC's 20/20 exclusive and unprecedented access into their investigation.

CHAPEL HILL (WTVD) -- Four years after University of North Carolina sophomore Faith Hedgepeth was found brutally murdered, police have granted ABC's 20/20 exclusive and unprecedented access into their investigation.



Included in a report that aired Friday night, is a never-before-seen composite of what the killer may look like based on DNA evidence found at the crime scene. Using genetic code from the DNA, a software company in Reston, VA was able to predict the eye color, hair color, skin color, freckling, face morphology, and ancestry of the alleged killer.





20/20 Reporter Ryan Smith talks about the lack of evidence in the case. Police have DNA samples but not many of the other bits of evidence you might find in other cases, including video or eyewitnesses.


Friday's 20/20 special on Faith Hedgepeth's case takes a look into a real murder investigation


Police have said 19-year-old Hedgepeth was found bloodied and beaten in her Chapel Hill bedroom the morning of Sept. 7, 2012 after a night out at a bar with her roommate Karena Rosario.


1 of 21
Faith Hedgepeth


A sexual assault kit was collected which showed the presence of male semen. Investigators have said that DNA belongs to Hedgepeth's killer, but after collecting and comparing hundreds of samples from persons of interest, none have been a match.



Ryan Smith discusses the private investigative work being done on the case. A former detective - working pro-bono for Hedgepeth's family - thinks he's identified a new suspect.


A former detective may have identified a new suspect in the Faith Hedgepeth murder case


There's a $40,000 reward still available for information in the case. If you have any information, please call Crimestoppers at (919) 942-7515.



ABC News Correspondent Ryan Smith's report also features security camera footage of Hedgepeth and Rosario at The Thrill nightclub, photos of the alleged murder weapon, and crime scene photos.



Smith talks about the detailed DNA analysis that offers a composite sketch and likely physical characteristics of Hedgepeth's killer - he's not white or black, likely Native American or Latino.


Cutting-edge technology is helping investigators with a composite of Faith Hedgepeth's killer


CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM 20/20



Report a Typo

Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.