CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – Chapel Hill police have released a composite sketch – based solely on DNA and not eye-witnesses – of a person they’re seeking in connection with the death of Faith Hedgepeth.
Parabon NanoLabs, the company that prepared the image describes its process on its website.
“Snapshot is a revolutionary new forensic DNA analysis service that accurately predicts the physical appearance and ancestry of an unknown person from DNA,” the website reads.
Hedgepeth’s body was found in a Chapel Hill apartment bedroom, sitting upright in a pool of blood against a bed with her shirt pulled up, according to authorities. Police also found a note written on a fast-food takeout bag. It read “I’m not stupid” followed by the words “bitch” and “jealous,” officials said.RELATED:4 years later, Faieth Hedgepeth’s family still no closer to closure
Investigators recovered DNA from semen collected through a sexual assault kit and from elsewhere at the crime scene, police said.
The sketch is accompanied by a breakdown of the genetic ancestry of the man whose DNA was analyzed. He was likely Latino, with a mixed ancestry, primarily of central American and southwest European origin. His DNA also shows smaller connections with southern Africa, South America and northeast Africa, according to the sheet distributed by police.
The man is described on the sheet as having olive skin, brown or hazel eyes, black hair and few or no freckles, according to the sheet. The sheet notes that several important variables, including the man’s age and weight, remain unknown.RELATED:Chapel Hill police still seek help in UNC’s Hedgepeth murder
Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at (919) 614-6363.