MIAMI, Fla. — A Florida nurse has been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of a married co-worker whose body was found on a roadway, following what investigators say was a secret meeting to celebrate her birthday.
Authorities say Rene Perez, 38, was taken into custody in Miami on March 10 after a lengthy investigation into the death of Linda Campitelli, 35, a married mother of two.
Investigators allege the two had been involved in a secret two-year affair while working together at Wellington Regional Medical Center, a relationship that ultimately led to a deadly encounter in October 2024.
Perez now faces charges of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Secret Birthday Meeting Led to Tragic Night
According to investigators, Perez and Campitelli arranged to meet on October 28, 2024, to celebrate Campitelli’s birthday.
Authorities say messages exchanged between the two revealed the pair had been communicating frequently in the days leading up to the meeting.
Court documents indicate that Campitelli had expressed mixed emotions about the planned encounter.
“I LOVE YOU, I FEEL KINDA WEIRD. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT TOMORROW,” Campitelli wrote in a WhatsApp message cited in the affidavit.
Perez reportedly reassured her, responding that the surprise was meant to be romantic and special.
Investigators say the messages show Campitelli had previously expressed frustration about having to share Perez’s time with his wife during their ongoing relationship.
Victim Left Home for Dinner With Friends
On the night of the incident, Campitelli told her husband she was going out to dinner with friends, according to court records.
She left her home wearing a red dress and black heels and drove away in her Chevy Tahoe.
Authorities say location data later placed her vehicle at the Retina Group of Florida building in Wellington, a location connected to Perez’s former workplace.
Investigators believe the two met there as planned.
Inside the vehicle, authorities later discovered a blanket reading “Happy Birthday” placed in the back seat, along with Ultrasorbs medical sheets, which are commonly used in medical settings to absorb liquids.
911 Calls Report Woman in Roadway
Later that night, around 10:20 p.m., several 911 calls were made reporting an unresponsive woman lying in the southbound lanes of Lyons Road.
One caller told dispatchers the woman appeared to be “bleeding profusely from the mouth.”
Responding officers found Campitelli’s body approximately 50 feet from her vehicle, which was parked nearby.
Investigators reported a trail of blood leading from the passenger side of the SUV toward the victim’s body.
Authorities also recovered Campitelli’s bloodstained Apple Watch from the center console of the vehicle.
She was still wearing the same clothing she had left home in earlier that evening.
Medical Examiner Ruled Death a Homicide
An investigation conducted by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined that Campitelli’s death was a homicide.
Officials said the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and torso.
According to investigators, Campitelli suffered multiple serious injuries, including:
- Four lacerations to the right side of her scalp
- Numerous contusions across her body
- A lacerated lung
Evidence also suggested she had been dragged, as authorities reported severe road rash and scuff marks on the heels of her shoes.
Suspect Denied Meeting Victim That Night
When questioned by investigators, Perez reportedly claimed that he canceled the birthday celebration because his son was sick.
However, detectives say they found no messages or evidence supporting that claim.
Following months of investigation and review of digital evidence, authorities ultimately obtained an arrest warrant.
Perez was taken into custody and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail, where a judge ordered that he be held without bond.
Read Also: Massachusetts Teen Accused of Killing ICU Nurse Allegedly Told Police He “Wanted to Kill Someone”
Investigation Uncovered Complex Relationship
According to investigators, the case involved a complicated personal relationship between the two healthcare workers.
Authorities say their long-term affair and digital communications became central pieces of evidence during the investigation.
Officials have not released additional details about a possible motive.
As the case moves through the legal process, prosecutors will now work to present the evidence gathered during the investigation.
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