In a heartbreaking development that has gripped Palm Beach County for over a year, the husband of Linda Campitelli has finally broken his silence following the arrest of the man accused of brutally murdering his wife.

Linda Campitelli, a 35-year-old dedicated nurse and devoted mother of two young daughters, was found lifeless on the shoulder of Lyons Road near Wellington on October 28, 2024. She had left home that evening dressed elegantly in a red dress and black heels, telling her husband she was meeting friends for dinner. Tragically, she never returned. Authorities ruled her death a homicide after discovering severe blunt force trauma to her head and torso, including skull fractures, displaced ribs, and signs she had been dragged along the ground.

The 17-month investigation culminated in the arrest of Rene J. Perez, 38, a former coworker and secret lover, on March 10, 2026, in Miami. Perez faces charges of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence. He was denied bond and remains in custody.

According to investigators, Campitelli and Perez, both married at the time, had been carrying on an extramarital affair for nearly two years after meeting at Wellington Regional Medical Center. The fatal night was meant to be a belated birthday celebration for Campitelli. Intimate WhatsApp messages revealed her nervous excitement about the rendezvous, with exchanges like “I love you so much” and plans for a romantic setup in her Chevrolet Tahoe—her husband’s vehicle.

Perez initially denied meeting her that night, claiming he stayed at work. However, cellphone data, surveillance footage showing his vehicle leaving early and returning hours later, and blood evidence inside the SUV contradicted his story. Her body showed road-rash injuries consistent with being dragged, and investigators believe the attack occurred during or after their encounter.

In his first public statement since the arrest, Campitelli’s husband expressed profound grief mixed with a glimmer of relief. He described the past months as an endless nightmare for their family, particularly their two daughters who are still under 10. “Linda was the light of our lives—beautiful, caring, and full of dreams for our girls,” he said. “To learn the truth after so long is devastating, but knowing the person responsible is behind bars brings some sense of closure. Our focus now is on healing and ensuring justice is served so our daughters can grow up knowing their mother’s killer faced consequences.”

Family members, including Campitelli’s mother, have echoed similar sentiments, noting the grandchildren are in good hands with their father while the case proceeds through the courts. The arrest marks a major breakthrough in what was once a baffling roadside mystery, highlighting the dangers of hidden relationships and the relentless pursuit of truth by law enforcement.

As the legal process unfolds, the community remembers Linda as an admirable professional and loving mother whose life was cut short in unimaginable violence.