In a heartbreaking case that has shocked the Palm Beach County community, 35-year-old registered nurse and married mother of two Linda Campitelli was brutally killed by her long-term affair partner, fellow nurse Rene J. Perez, 38, in October 2024. Nearly a year and a half later, on March 10, 2026, authorities arrested Perez in Miami, charging him with first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence. The arrest followed an exhaustive investigation that uncovered a two-year secret romance, a planned “romantic” birthday rendezvous that turned deadly, and chilling details of how Perez allegedly set up a makeshift boudoir in the back of Campitelli’s Chevrolet Tahoe—her doctor husband’s vehicle—before the fatal attack.

Linda Campitelli was a dedicated nurse who had worked at Wellington Regional Medical Center in Florida. She met her husband, John Campitelli, a physician, in 2015 while pursuing her career in nursing. The couple married in 2016 and built a family with two young children. Described by those who knew her as warm, hardworking, and devoted to her kids, Linda balanced demanding shifts in healthcare with family life. Her husband, a medical resident turned doctor, supported her ambitions, and the family appeared stable from the outside. But beneath the surface, Linda had been involved in a clandestine affair with Perez since around 2022, when both were employed at the same hospital.

The affair involved frequent WhatsApp messages, shared complaints about their respective marriages, and secret meetups. Court documents reveal Linda often expressed frustration about Perez dividing his time between her and his own wife. Despite the complications, the relationship persisted for roughly two years. By October 2024, Linda had turned 35 just two weeks earlier. Perez, eager to mark the occasion, arranged what he described as a “romantic” belated birthday celebration. Messages exchanged in the days leading up to October 28 showed Linda feeling “a little nervous” about the plan, though she proceeded.

That evening, Linda dressed in a red dress and black high heels, telling her husband she was going out to dinner with friends. She left home in the family’s Chevrolet Tahoe. Surveillance and phone data later placed the vehicle arriving at the Retina Group of Florida building in Wellington, where Perez had previously worked. Investigators believe the two met there for their rendezvous. Inside the SUV, with the backseats folded down, Perez allegedly created an intimate setup: a “happy birthday” table cover spread out, medical sheets from his workplace laid as bedding, transforming the cargo area into a makeshift boudoir for their encounter.

What began as a romantic gesture quickly escalated into violence. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and medical examiner findings, Linda suffered blunt force trauma to the head and body, including a skull fracture, multiple rib fractures, contusions on her back and neck, severe bruising, and road rash consistent with being dragged along pavement. Her body was discovered face down on the side of Lyons Road in Lake Worth, about 50 feet from the abandoned Tahoe. Blood trails led from the passenger side of the vehicle to where she lay, suggesting she was attacked inside or near the car and then dragged outside. She was pronounced dead at the scene, her death ruled a homicide.

Perez initially denied involvement when questioned, but evidence mounted against him. Digital forensics uncovered extensive communications between the pair, phone location data placing him near the scene, surveillance video corroborating movements, and even a hidden burner phone used for coordination. Friends of Linda confirmed the affair after detectives interviewed them. Perez later admitted to the two-year relationship, claiming it began innocently at work but turned romantic. He allegedly told investigators he could “be romantic” and had arranged the birthday surprise to woo her.

The motive remains unclear in public records—no explicit reason listed in the 25-page arrest affidavit—but speculation points to escalating tensions in the affair, jealousy, or fear of exposure. Both were married with families, adding layers of complexity and betrayal. Perez’s arrest in Miami marked the culmination of a long investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, involving digital analysis, witness statements, and forensic review.

The discovery of Linda’s body on October 28, 2024, devastated her family, colleagues, and the local nursing community. Her husband and children faced unimaginable grief, compounded by the revelation of the affair. Friends described Linda as someone who lit up rooms with her kindness and dedication to patient care. Colleagues at Wellington Regional Medical Center mourned the loss of a trusted teammate, while the broader healthcare field reflected on the personal risks that can intersect with professional lives.

Perez, a post-anesthesia care nurse, now faces life in prison or potentially the death penalty if convicted. He appeared in court shortly after his arrest, held without bond. The case has drawn attention for its elements of deception, romance gone wrong, and the use of everyday items—like a family SUV and birthday decorations—in a horrific crime.

For Linda’s loved ones, the arrest brings a measure of accountability after 17 months of uncertainty. Yet questions linger: What triggered the violence that night? Could warning signs have been spotted earlier? The community in Palm Beach County continues to process the tragedy, remembering Linda not for the affair, but for her role as a mother, wife, and caregiver who touched many lives.

This case serves as a somber reminder of how hidden relationships can spiral into danger. Affairs, built on secrecy and emotion, sometimes end in betrayal far beyond heartbreak. As the legal process moves forward, Linda Campitelli’s family seeks justice and closure, hoping to honor her memory amid the pain of how her life ended.