Sister: Slain UNC student helped friend in abusive relationship

Durham, N.C. — A University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student who was found dead in her off-campus apartment on Sept. 7 had been helping a friend deal with an abusive relationship a few months before her death, according to the slain student's sister.

Faith Danielle Hedgepeth, 19, was found dead in her Hawthorne View apartment. No suspects have been named, and police have said little other than that they don't believe the crime was random.

Rolanda Hedgepeth told WRAL News on Monday that her sister had taken a friend to a Durham County courthouse in July to get a restraining order against the woman's ex-boyfriend.

In the application, the woman noted two occasions on which the man in question broke down doors in her apartment.

"I just wanted both of them to be safe," Rolanda Hedgepeth said. Her sister moved in with the friend, and it was in their shared apartment that her body was found.

Of the move, Rolanda Hedgepeth said, "I wasn't worried about Faith at the time, but I wanted them to be safe."

The family met Friday with investigators but got few answers to their many questions.

"All they have said to us and to the public, to the media, to everybody (is) that this wasn't random. How do they know that?" asked Hedgepeth's brother, Chad Hedgepeth.

The family met with Durham County District Attorney Leon Stanback and three other prosecutors to discuss the case.

"Do they have a suspect? Do they have any suspects? How many do they have? Do they have more than one?" Chad Hedgepeth said. "Tell us something, because being in the dark on any and everything these past four weeks has been brutal."

Radio transmissions to Durham County's 911 center indicated blood was found in the apartment, but all 911 recordings and other investigative information have been sealed by court order.

A reward of nearly $30,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone who thinks they might have information that could help is asked to call Chapel Hill police at 919-614-6363 or Crime Stoppers at 919-942-7515.

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A few things.

First, I cant tell if those ate bruises or if they are birth marks and despite searching, I can find no other pics of her left arm at any other point in time.

Second, I do not know why there is not more outrage in the CH community.

Third, I hope so much for the ones who love Faith, that this is solved very, very soon.

redwarrior
October 9, 2012 3:23 p.m.

I hope they find whoever did this to her.

awood2
October 9, 2012 2:58 p.m.

Is this his ex-girlfriend with three bruises on her arm? Also, he tweeted earlier that morning at 5:43am which could open the doors to place him at the crime scene. https://twitter.com/i/#!/Jones_4NC/media/slideshow?url=pic.twitter.com%2F29lOicpv

Lamborghini Mercy
October 9, 2012 12:08 p.m.

I don't mind the roomie leaving the state (I would certainly have brought my daughter back home after all of that) but I do find it strange that she doesn't speak out more, but can be from to a lot of 'pressure'

Ven
October 9, 2012 12:03 p.m.

don't read so much into the 'rapper' part, it's more about his ties to the 'CarHill' community and the fact that his 'issues' with the ex were swept away, which could be the bigger issue in this case b/c of the implications to LEO

interesting....and might explain why the roomate has left the state?