Florida Nurse Charged with Brutally Murdering Ex-Coworker After Luring Her to Birthday Meetup

Florida Nurse Charged with Brutally Murdering Ex-Coworker After Luring Her to Birthday Meetup

A chilling and tragic incident has unfolded in Florida, where a nurse has been arrested for the brutal murder of his former coworker, Linda Campitelli, a married mother of two. Rene Perez, 38, was arrested in Miami on Tuesday, nearly a year and a half after allegedly killing Campitelli in a violent attack following a supposed romantic rendezvous that turned deadly. The crime occurred in October 2024, and Perez has been charged with first-degree murder, deadly weapon assault, and tampering with evidence.

The case has shocked the local community and the public at large, especially given the disturbing details revealed about the relationship between the two. Perez and Campitelli, both married at the time, had been carrying on a secret affair for about two years, having met while working together at the Wellington Regional Medical Center. The affair, which was hidden from their spouses, eventually culminated in a tragic and violent outcome that has left their families devastated and the community reeling.

On October 28, 2024, Campitelli was allegedly lured to a meetup with Perez, purportedly to celebrate her birthday. Court records reveal that, in the days leading up to the meeting, Campitelli expressed feelings of anxiety and nervousness about the plan. In a WhatsApp message to Perez, she confessed, “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, attempting to reassure her, responded, “LOL, IT’S NO BIG DEAL. JUST TRYING TO SHOW U THAT I CAN BE ROMANTIC. IT PROBABLY WONT BE AS GOOD AS WHAT YOU’VE DONE FOR ME.”

Campitelli left her home that night in a red dress and black heels, telling her husband, John, that she was going out to dinner with friends. However, surveillance footage later showed her vehicle, a Chevy Tahoe, arriving at the Retina Group of Florida Building in Wellington, where Perez had previously worked.

What authorities later uncovered about the meeting was chilling. Perez had prepared the back of his vehicle for the meeting, laying down a blanket that read, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOPE YOUR BIRTHDAY IS OUT OF THIS WORLD” along with medical sheets used to control odor and moisture. At some point during the meeting, the situation turned violent. Perez allegedly attacked Campitelli, brutally beating her with blunt force trauma to her head and torso. She also suffered four lacerations to her scalp and a fatal accumulation of blood in her skull.

At around 10:20 p.m., a disturbing 911 call alerted police to an unresponsive woman found 50 feet away from the car. When first responders arrived, they discovered Campitelli’s lifeless body, marked by severe road rash and drag marks, suggesting that she had been moved from the car to her final position. Bloodstains led from the vehicle to her body, and an Apple Watch, soaked in blood, was found in the vehicle’s center console. Surveillance footage later showed Perez walking toward his workplace at Delray Medical Center, disposing of something in the trash, a detail that would later come under scrutiny.

When questioned by authorities, Perez claimed that he had canceled their secret meeting due to his son being sick, but text messages and witness statements contradicted his alibi. After a thorough investigation that involved interviewing numerous witnesses, executing over 50 search warrants, and analyzing extensive cell phone data, detectives were able to piece together the evidence linking Perez to the brutal crime. This investigative work led to Perez’s arrest in March 2026, nearly two years after the murder.

At his court appearance on March 9, 2026, Perez was denied bond and remains in custody at the Palm Beach County Jail. As of now, the investigation continues, with authorities seeking to uncover more details surrounding the murder and to ensure that justice is served for Campitelli and her family. The case has sparked outrage, with many questioning how an individual in a position of trust, such as a nurse, could commit such a heinous act.

For the family of Linda Campitelli, the loss is incomprehensible. She was a mother, a wife, and a beloved member of her community, whose life was stolen from her in the most brutal of ways. Her family is now left to process the deep emotional pain of losing her, and they are seeking justice for the violent crime that claimed her life. Campitelli’s murder serves as a grim reminder of the dangers that can lurk behind seemingly innocuous relationships and the devastating consequences of betrayal.

As the legal proceedings move forward, the public remains focused on the question of how Perez, a man trusted with the care of others, could commit such an atrocious crime. The legal system will now decide the fate of Rene Perez, but for the family and friends of Linda Campitelli, the road to justice will be long and filled with sorrow.

The tragic death of Linda Campitelli leaves an indelible mark on her loved ones and the community, but her family is determined to honor her memory and ensure that the man responsible for her murder is held accountable. The case underscores the devastating impact of violence in relationships, and the profound consequences it has for the victims and their families.

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with further information to come forward, as they seek to uncover every detail of this tragic case. For now, the family and friends of Linda Campitelli are left with a gaping hole in their hearts, and a longing for the justice that they hope will be served.