I wish I could tell you that this is an unusual case and that this never happens in Native America, but unfortunately, Faith’s case happens to be one of many that affect our culture. To date, no one has been arrested in her murder, even though, according to the Chapel Hill police department, over 2,000 people have been interviewed, DNA has been taken on over 700 men and semen was found at the scene. When probed, the police would only release small bits of fact. The entire case of Faith Hedgepeth’s murder has been shrouded in secrecy. At that time, it was revealed she was killed by blunt force trauma to the head, but the facts of the object used was not disclosed. Unfortunately for Faith’s family and all that loved her, the way she died was not disclosed until 2 years after her death. They were not told how she was murdered, but were told that she was badly beaten. Once the operator learned that Faith was cold to the touch, she asked Rosario to back away from Faith and wait for the authorities to arrive, which the caller did.įaith’s parents were notified by telephone that their precious baby girl was found murdered in the apartment she and Rosario shared, and asked to come to the Chapel Hill Police Department. The 911 Operator, feeling that that young woman was clearly in shock, took time to work with Rosario in uncovering the gruesome scene. There’s blood everywhere.”Īccording to Rosario, upon returning home she found Faith Hedgepeth lying dead in the bedroom. The young woman began the emergency call by saying, “Hi, I just walked in my apartment. On the morning of September 7, 2012, at approximately 11:00 am, the Chapel Hill police department received a 911 call from a young woman who identified herself as Karena Rosario. She wanted to be the first in her family to obtain her college degree, and take what she had learned back to her tribal community. She was a sister, a friend, a cousin, niece, granddaughter, student and intelligent Indian woman. She was a leader, but also a solid team member. She loved to laugh! She was instrumental in starting her drama team at church and was also interested in joining the first American Indian Sorority, Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. If she sensed you were down, she would offer a hug, a smile, or a joke. I remind myself that if I feel this way, her family must struggle to manage this nightmare?īefore September 7, 2012, we all knew and loved Faith as that beautiful girl whose smile would light up an entire room. This year, on September 7, 2019, the Haliwa-Saponi Indian tribe saw another year pass with no more answers than we had seven years ago, when one of our own, Faith Danielle Hedgepeth, was found murdered in her Chapel Hill apartment while attending UNC Chapel Hill.Īs a member of our tribe, a loving friend to her entire family, and the mother of a student who also attended UNC Chapel Hill, I hold this case close to my heart. This year, however, the number seven was a very solemn reminder of what has not been done. We live our lives preparing for our seven generations ahead, reflect on the past seven generations and what has been taught, and honor the seven directions: north, south, east, west, above, below, and “here in the center,” also known as the place of the sacred fire. The number seven in Native American culture is significant and memorable.
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