The jury in Cape Fear County found 33‑year‑old Miguel Salguero Olivares guilty of first‑degree murder, rape, sexual offence and burglary after a six‑hour deliberation over two days.
Police had secured DNA from Hedgepeth’s body, a fast‑food bag, and a rum bottle in 2012; forensic expert Erin Ermish testified that the genetic match was 170 septillion times more likely to be Salguero’s than any unknown.
Olivares’ lawyers alleged tunnel vision, contested the handling of evidence, and argued that a prior sexual encounter could explain the DNA, but the court rejected the defense’s claims, citing the palm‑print and fingerprint evidence.
After the verdict, Hedgepeth’s parents publicly forgave the accused, while prosecutors said the life sentence will be upheld on appeal; the state will file a notice of appeal by next month.