WILMINGTON, N.C. — A murder investigation is under way at the campus of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Police found the body of Jessica Faulkner, 18, of Cary, inside a dorm room in Cornerstone Hall around 1 p.m. Wednesday. Faulkner, a first-year student with sophomore status, was a 2003 graduate of Enloe High School in Raleigh.

Curtis Dixon, 22, a freshman from Charlotte, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Faulkner's death. He is being held without bond in the New Hanover County Jail.

Sources say Dixon lived in the same dorm and confessed to a resident advisor.

Students who live in the dorm say Faulkner and Dixon were friends who were often seen together on campus.

Friends of Dixon's say they cannot believe he could be responsible.

"It's sad for everybody," student Howard Millard said. "I was kind of friends with the girl and I was really good friends with the guy suspected. He was one of the most loyal friends I ever had, but he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way."

Dixon's arraignment is set for Thursday.

Faulkner's family says Jessica was finished with exams and was supposed to drive home Wednesday.

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Michelle Singer