need to know
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Linda Campitelli was found dead on a Florida road near her husband’s car where she appeared to be hosting a birthday party in the back seat.
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Authorities arrested Rene J. Perez, who allegedly had an affair with Campitelli, and charged him with murder
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Text and photos suggest Perez arranged a romantic birthday celebration for Campitelli before her death
In 2024, a Florida nurse was found brutally murdered on the side of the road while appearing to be celebrating her birthday in the backseat of a car with her lover, now a suspect in her murder.
Authorities found 35-year-old Linda Campitelli late on the night of Oct. 28, 2024, after reports of an unconscious woman lying on the ground on a road in Lantana, Florida, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
More than a year later, authorities arrested Rene J. Perez, 38, with whom Campitelli’s friends confirmed he was having an affair, according to a statement and affidavit from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
Campitelli was pronounced dead at the scene by police after authorities received multiple 911 calls about a woman lying face-down on the ground “bleeding profusely” from her mouth, according to the affidavit.
She was found a few feet away from one of her husband’s cars and was awakened when police went to notify him.
Campitelli’s phone records obtained by police showed frequent contact between her and Perez’s phone numbers; the information included intimate photos.
Photos recovered from her phone showed the back seat of her car covered with medical sheets and a tablecloth or blanket that read: “Happy birthday, I hope your birthday is in this world,” according to the affidavit.
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Linda Campitelli.
Photo credit: Linda Campitelli/Facebook
Campitelli turned 35 two weeks ago, according to her obituary.
Text messages exchanged between the two phone numbers ahead of the apparent birthday celebration suggested she was nervous about their upcoming date.
In one exchange, she wrote in capital letters: “I love you. I’m feeling a little weird. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. You’ve never done anything like this for me before and I’m feeling a little nervous.”
In response, a response from Perez’s phone number purportedly read: “Haha it’s not a big deal. Just wanted to show you that I can be romantic. It probably won’t be as good as what you did for me.”
Investigators said in the affidavit that Campitelli’s body was found with severe head wounds, “significant swelling and bruising around the right eye, and what appeared to be signs of dragging or bruising.”
Rene J. Perez.
Photo Credit: Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
In her obituary, her family described her as a “doting husband and daughter” nurse who was looking forward to starting a new job.
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The evidence authorities had against Perez was inconsistent with statements he made to them, including that he canceled plans with Campitelli that night, the affidavit said.
A possible motive is unclear at this time. Perez is charged with first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
Records show no guilty plea. PEOPLE has contacted his attorney listed in court documents.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit hotline network. All calls are free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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