September 6, 2012, 8:00 p.m.

• Faith Hedgepeth and roommate Karena Rosario went to Davis Library on the UNC campus to study.
• Police later stated Hedgepeth briefly left the library and later returned to pick Rosario up.
• The two women eventually returned to their apartment complex, Hawthorne at the View.

September 6, 2012, 11:30 p.m.

• Hedgepeth and Rosario left Davis Library.
• The pair returned to their apartment around midnight.
• Investigators later noted the apartment complex sat at the end of a secluded roadway surrounded by trees with only one primary entrance and exit.

September 7, 2012, 12:00 a.m.

• The women arrived back at their second-floor apartment.
• Police later stated they remained inside for less than thirty minutes.

September 7, 2012, 12:30 a.m.

• Hedgepeth and Rosario left the apartment again for a night out dancing.
• Before leaving, they locked the apartment door behind them.
• Investigators later confirmed they headed to Thrill nightclub in Chapel Hill.

September 7, 2012, 12:40 a.m.

• Surveillance footage captured Hedgepeth and Rosario entering Thrill nightclub.
• Thrill was a popular nightclub frequented by UNC students and allowed patrons under 21 years old.

September 7, 2012, 2:06 a.m.

• Surveillance video captured Rosario leaving Thrill nightclub.
• Hedgepeth exited shortly afterward.
• Rosario later told investigators she was not feeling well.

September 7, 2012, 3:00 a.m.

• Hedgepeth and Rosario returned to their apartment.
• A downstairs neighbor later told investigators she heard several loud “thumps” coming from the apartment above.
• The neighbor described the noises as sounding like:
• Heavy objects dropping
• Furniture turning over
• Repeated impacts
• Around this same period, investigators determined someone accessed Hedgepeth’s Facebook account.

September 7, 2012, 3:40 a.m.

• Hedgepeth sent a text message to Brandon Edwards.
• Rosario’s phone records later showed she was also attempting to contact Edwards around the same time.
• When Edwards did not respond, Rosario contacted UNC soccer player Jordan McCrary.
• Investigators later described McCrary as someone Rosario had a relationship with.

September 7, 2012, 4:25 a.m.

• Rosario left the apartment and entered Jordan McCrary’s vehicle.
• She went to McCrary’s apartment.
• Police later stated the apartment door was left unlocked when Rosario departed.
• Rosario told investigators Faith was alive and in bed when she left.

September 7, 2012, Morning Hours

• Rosario attempted to contact Hedgepeth but received no response.
• Rosario then contacted friend Marisol Rangel for a ride back to the apartment.

September 7, 2012, 11:00 a.m.

• Rosario and Rangel arrived at the apartment.
• The women reportedly called out Faith’s name repeatedly but received no response.
• They entered the bedroom and discovered Hedgepeth deceased.

Crime Scene Findings

• Hedgepeth was found partially nude.
• Police observed extensive blood throughout the bedroom.
• Investigators stated she suffered severe blunt force trauma.
• Her body had been partially wrapped in a comforter from the bed.
• Blood spatter was visible throughout portions of the bedroom.
• Investigators later determined Hedgepeth had likely been bludgeoned with an empty rum bottle recovered at the scene.
• Authorities also stated they believed she had likely been sexually assaulted.

DNA Evidence

• Investigators recovered semen from the crime scene.
• A male DNA profile was developed from the evidence.
• Police publicly stated they believed the DNA belonged to Hedgepeth’s killer.
• The DNA profile became the central focus of the homicide investigation for years.

September 7, 2012

• Rosario called 911 after discovering the body.
• Chapel Hill Police immediately launched a homicide investigation.
• Detectives began conducting interviews with friends, students, neighbors, and possible witnesses.

September 2012 to Late 2012

• Investigators reviewed:
• Surveillance footage
• Cell phone records
• Facebook activity
• DNA evidence
• Witness interviews
• The case quickly drew statewide and national media attention.
• Community members held vigils and memorials for Hedgepeth throughout North Carolina.

December 2012

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation joined the investigation to assist Chapel Hill Police.
• FBI behavioral analysts developed a criminal profile suggesting:
• The killer likely knew Hedgepeth
• The suspect may have lived near her at one point
• The killer might closely follow media coverage of the case
• The suspect could display behavioral changes after the homicide

2013 to 2014

• Investigators continued collecting forensic evidence and re-interviewing witnesses.
• Public pressure intensified as the case remained unsolved.

2014

• Chapel Hill Police released hundreds of pages of investigative documents and evidence summaries.
• One of the most discussed pieces of evidence was a fast-food bag from the Chapel Hill restaurant Time-Out.
• Written on the bag was the phrase:
• “I’m not stupid bitch jealous”
• Investigators stated:
• The bag was found on the bed
• DNA recovered from the pen matched DNA found on Hedgepeth’s body
• The note became one of the most recognizable elements of the investigation.

2015 to 2020

• The homicide remained unsolved for nearly a decade.
• The case was featured in:
• National television specials
• Podcasts
• Online investigations
• Documentaries
• Hedgepeth’s family continued publicly advocating for justice.

Advances in DNA Technology

• Investigators utilized forensic genealogy and updated DNA analysis techniques.
• The advanced testing eventually identified a suspect connected to the crime scene DNA.

September 16, 2021

• Authorities arrested Rosendo Rodriguez Jr.
• Prosecutors stated forensic evidence strongly linked him to the homicide.
• Police announced the arrest nearly nine years after Hedgepeth’s murder.

2022

• Rosendo Rodriguez Jr. pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.
• He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Legacy

• Faith Hedgepeth’s homicide became one of the most recognized Native American homicide investigations in the United States.
• The case highlighted:
• Violence against Indigenous women
• Long-term cold case investigations
• DNA genealogy advancements
• Media coverage disparities involving Native American victims
• The persistence of families seeking justice