A Florida woman, Linda Campitelli, was found brutally slain on the side of a road on October 28, 2024, and authorities have now arrested Rene J. Perez, 38, as a suspect in her killing.
Perez was identified as the man with whom Campitelli was having an affair, and the case has raised many questions surrounding the tragic death of the 35-year-old nurse.
The Discovery of Linda Campitelli’s Body
On the evening of October 28, 2024, police responded to a 911 call reporting a woman lying unresponsive on a road in Lantana, Florida.
When authorities arrived, they found Campitelli with significant injuries, including a severe gash to her head and significant swelling around her right eye. She was also bleeding profusely from her mouth and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The woman was found a few feet away from a car that belonged to her husband, who was later awakened by police and informed of her death. Authorities began to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death and soon uncovered troubling details.
The Affair and Text Messages
Investigators traced phone records that showed frequent communication between Campitelli and Rene J. Perez, a man her friends confirmed she had been seeing in secret.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the text messages included intimate photos and exchanged messages that revealed the nature of their relationship.
Photos recovered from Campitelli’s phone revealed the backseat of her car lined with medical sheets and a blanket with the message: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOPE YOUR BIRTHDAY IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.”
The birthday celebration appeared to be an important event for Campitelli, as she had just turned 35 years old two weeks earlier.
In the lead-up to their meeting, Campitelli expressed nervousness in a text message to Perez, stating, “I love you. I feel kinda weird. I don’t know what to expect tomorrow.
You’ve never done anything like this for me before and I feel a little nervous.” Perez responded, downplaying her concerns, saying, “Lol, it’s no big deal. Just trying to show u that I can be romantic.”
The Investigation and Perez’s Arrest
The investigation into Campitelli’s death revealed that she had been severely injured, with visible signs of physical trauma. Authorities also found what appeared to be drag or scuff marks near her body, suggesting that she had been moved after being attacked.
Perez initially told investigators that he had canceled his plans to meet Campitelli that evening, but evidence uncovered during the investigation contradicted this claim.
Based on the inconsistencies in Perez’s statements and the physical evidence, he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence.
Motive and Charges
At this time, a clear motive for Campitelli’s murder has not been determined. The details surrounding the case, however, suggest that Perez may have been involved in a violent confrontation with her, and the circumstances surrounding the celebration of her birthday remain under investigation.
Perez has been charged with first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence, though no plea information has been made available.
The Impact on Linda Campitelli’s Family
Linda Campitelli was a beloved nurse who “doted on her husband and girls” and was excited to start a new job at the time of her death, according to her obituary. Her family is now left grieving the loss of a woman who had a bright future ahead of her, and they are seeking justice for her tragic end.
