cold case
⠀ 14 years later, the DNA led to an end to a life sentence ⠀.
For more than a decade, the murder of 19-year-old University of North Carolina student Faith Hedgefat has remained one of the states most disturbing unsolved cases.
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Faith was found beaten to death inside her apartment in September 2012.
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Investigators had DNA, fingerprints and evidence collected from the scene. But it would be nine years before the police arrested a suspect.
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On October 23, a jury found Miguel Salguero-Olivares guilty of first-degree murder, rape, sexual assault and burglary.
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Prosecutors relied heavily on forensic evidence, including DNA found on a bottle believed to have been used in the killing.
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The defense questioned the investigation and claimed that the DNA did not prove murder.
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The jury disagreed.
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Salguero-Olivares received a life sentence without parole, plus additional consecutive sentences. His defense plans to appeal.
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One of the most amazing moments came next, when Faith's parents talked about forgiveness despite years of grieving.
⠀ Watch: A court insider summarizes the verdict and the exciting sentence. ⠀.