In a raw and emotional interview following the March 10, 2026, arrest of Rene J. Perez in the long-unsolved murder of her daughter, Edina Russo has spoken publicly for the first time about the brutal way 35-year-old Linda Campitelli was killed. The mother of the cheating nurse described the “horrific” scene investigators pieced together: Linda, a devoted mother of two young daughters and a registered nurse, was beaten to death inside the back of her husband’s Chevrolet Tahoe, which Perez had transformed into a makeshift romantic boudoir for what was supposed to be a belated birthday celebration during their secret affair. Russo’s words paint a picture of unimaginable violence and betrayal, while also sharing poignant, heartbreaking insights into Linda’s marriage to her doctor husband, John Campitelli.

Linda Campitelli was found dead on October 28, 2024, just two weeks after turning 35, lying face down on the side of Lyons Road in Lake Worth, Palm Beach County, Florida—about 50 feet from her abandoned white Chevy Tahoe. The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head and torso. She suffered a fractured skull, multiple broken ribs, severe bruising and contusions across her back and neck, and road rash consistent with being dragged along pavement after death. Her high-heeled shoes were worn down completely on one side, a grim detail suggesting she was pulled or dragged while still partially conscious or immediately after the fatal blows.

Edina Russo, speaking after Perez’s arrest on charges of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence, expressed a whirlwind of emotions. “There’s a million emotions,” she told reporters. “I’m obviously always sad but there’s a sense of closure.” She thanked detectives for their persistence over the 17 months since the discovery, noting how the case had haunted the family. Russo did not shy away from the painful realities, describing how investigators believe Perez lured Linda to a secluded spot near the Retina Group of Florida building in Wellington—where he had previously worked—under the pretense of a romantic surprise. Messages recovered from their WhatsApp exchanges showed Perez promising he “can be romantic” and setting up a “happy birthday” scene in the SUV’s cargo area: a table cover spread out, medical sheets from his workplace used as bedding, turning the family vehicle into an intimate love nest.

Linda had left home that evening dressed in a striking red dress and black high heels, telling her husband John she was meeting friends for dinner. Instead, she drove to meet Perez, with whom she had been involved in a two-year extramarital affair that began while both worked at Wellington Regional Medical Center. Court documents reveal Linda often vented frustrations in texts about sharing Perez’s time with his own wife, highlighting the emotional toll of the secret relationship. The night before the fatal meeting, she messaged him feeling “a little nervous” about what he had planned, though she still went ahead.

What unfolded next was pure horror. Authorities allege Perez attacked Linda inside or near the Tahoe, inflicting devastating blows that caused her fatal injuries. After the killing, her body was dragged from the passenger side of the vehicle to the roadside, leaving a blood trail and the telltale road rash. The Tahoe was left abandoned nearby, its backseats folded down and the “romantic” setup still in place. Perez, who initially denied involvement, later admitted the affair when confronted with digital evidence—including phone location data, surveillance footage, a hidden burner phone, and interviews with Linda’s friends who confirmed the relationship.

For Edina Russo, the details of how her daughter died remain excruciating. She spoke of the violence as “horrific,” emphasizing the betrayal not just by Perez but by the circumstances that led Linda to that isolated spot in her husband’s SUV. Russo described her daughter as bold, fun-loving, and deeply devoted to her children, a woman who poured her energy into nursing and family despite the strains in her personal life.

Russo also opened up about Linda’s marriage to John Campitelli, a well-regarded doctor. The couple met in 2015 when Linda was advancing her nursing career and John was a medical resident. They married in 2016 and welcomed two daughters, building what appeared from the outside as a stable, loving home. Russo shared heartbreaking reflections on the relationship, noting it had challenges “from the beginning.” She alluded to difficulties, including John’s demanding career and periods where Linda felt unsupported or overwhelmed balancing work, motherhood, and marital stresses. While Russo did not detail specifics of conflicts, she conveyed regret that Linda sought comfort outside the marriage, suggesting underlying unhappiness contributed to the affair. “It was bad at times,” Russo implied in her comments, highlighting how the couple’s dynamic may have played a role in Linda’s choices, though she stressed that nothing justified the violence that ended her life.

The arrest of Perez in Miami brought a measure of relief to the family after more than a year of uncertainty. He was transported to Palm Beach County Jail and ordered held without bond. If convicted, he faces life in prison or the death penalty. The case relied on meticulous work by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office: forensic analysis, digital forensics uncovering intimate messages and explicit photos, witness statements from Linda’s friends, and physical evidence tying Perez to the scene.

Linda’s death left two young daughters without their mother and a husband grappling with profound loss compounded by the revelations of infidelity. Colleagues at Wellington Regional remembered her as a compassionate caregiver who brightened patient days. The nursing community mourned the loss, while broader discussions emerged about workplace relationships, secrecy in marriages, and the dangers that can arise from hidden affairs.

Edina Russo’s willingness to speak reflects a mother’s need for truth and justice. She hopes sharing these details honors Linda’s memory—not as defined by the affair or her tragic end, but as a woman who loved fiercely, worked tirelessly, and deserved far better than the violence she endured. As the legal process begins, the family seeks closure amid ongoing grief, reminding others that behind every headline lies deep human pain and the enduring love of those left behind.