The mother of a slain Florida nurse has come forward with disturbing new details about her daughter's death, alleging the woman was bludgeoned with a tire iron during a clandestine birthday rendezvous arranged by a married former co-worker.

Linda Campitelli, a Florida nurse, was found dead in October 2024 approximately 50 feet from her husband's vehicle, and her ex-co-worker Rene Perez — described as a married man with whom she was allegedly having an affair — was arrested on March 10 and charged with first-degree murder, deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence in connection with her killing, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The case has drawn significant public attention as Campitelli's mother, Edina Russo, has spoken openly about the circumstances surrounding her daughter's death. Russo's statements have added a deeply personal dimension to the criminal proceedings, shedding light on the victim's personal life and the events leading up to the fatal encounter. The revelations raise troubling questions about the nature of the relationship between Campitelli and Perez.

WhatsApp Messages Reveal Plans for a Secret Rendezvous

According to court documents, the day before the alleged meetup, Campitelli sent Perez a message on WhatsApp expressing her feelings about their planned encounter. "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," Campitelli wrote.

As reported by the Post, Perez responded in a WhatsApp message that appeared to downplay the occasion. "LOL, IT'S NO BIG DEAL. JUST TRYING TO SHOW U THAT I CAN BE ROMANTIC. IT PROBABLY WONT BE AS GOOD AS WHAT YOUVE DONE FOR ME," he replied, according to court papers.

On the evening of the encounter, Campitelli told her husband, Jon Campitelli, that she was going out to eat with friends, according to an affidavit filed in the case. Hours later, her body was discovered near Jon's Chevy Tahoe SUV, which court papers allege Perez had transformed into a "lovenest" for their date.

Gruesome Evidence Found at the Scene

Court documents describe a grim scene surrounding the vehicle. Large pools of blood trailed from the passenger-side door to where Campitelli's body was found, suggesting she may have been dragged across the parking lot. Bloodstains were also discovered on the driver's side door handle of the SUV.

Additionally, investigators found Campitelli's Apple Watch on the center console of the vehicle, soaked in blood. According to court documents, Campitelli sustained blunt force trauma to her head and torso, four lacerations to her scalp, and a fatal accumulation of blood inside her skull.

Russo has alleged that her daughter was "beaten to death with a tire iron" during the encounter that Perez reportedly organized as a birthday celebration. "What kind of human does that? Animals don't even do that," Russo said in describing the violence inflicted upon her daughter.

A Mother Speaks About Her Daughter's Troubled Marriage

Russo revealed that she was not aware her daughter had been involved in an extramarital relationship at the time of Campitelli's death. She acknowledged that Campitelli and her husband, Jon, had been going through marital difficulties, but said Jon was devoted to their family. Russo noted that Jon "adored" their two daughters and was committed to resolving their issues through marriage counseling.

"My daughter was a difficult person to get along with, but her husband adored her," Russo said. She also addressed her daughter's affair with a candid admission.

"What she did was awful…but my daughter didn't kill anyone," Russo said, underscoring that whatever personal mistakes Campitelli may have made, they did not warrant the violence that took her life.

Lessons to Learn

1. Always let a trusted person know your true whereabouts. Campitelli told her husband she was dining with friends, meaning no one knew where she actually was or who she was meeting. Sharing your real location with someone you trust can be a critical safety measure in an emergency.

2. Be cautious when meeting someone in an isolated or private setting, even if you know them well. Intimate partner violence can occur in any relationship, and secluded locations can increase vulnerability. Meeting in public, well-lit places with other people nearby can reduce risk.

3. Pay attention to feelings of unease. Campitelli expressed nervousness before the meetup in her WhatsApp messages. While instincts are not always indicators of danger, trusting your gut feelings and taking precautions when something feels off can be important.

It is essential to emphasize that no matter what precautions someone takes, crime can happen to anyone, and the responsibility for violence lies solely with the perpetrator — never with the victim.

Why This Story Matters

This case highlights the devastating consequences of intimate partner violence, a pervasive issue that affects communities across the country regardless of profession or social standing. It serves as a sobering reminder that danger can come from people who are familiar and trusted, not just strangers. The community deserves transparency in how such cases are investigated and prosecuted, and Campitelli's family deserves justice for a life taken in an act of senseless brutality.

In summary, Linda Campitelli, a Florida nurse, was found dead in October 2024 near her husband's Chevy Tahoe SUV after leaving home under the pretense of dining with friends. Court documents allege she was meeting her married ex-co-worker, Rene Perez, for a secret birthday rendezvous he had arranged. Campitelli suffered fatal blunt force trauma, including four scalp lacerations and a deadly accumulation of blood in her skull, with her mother Edina Russo alleging she was beaten with a tire iron. Perez was arrested on March 10 and charged with first-degree murder, deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence. He was ordered held without bond and remains in custody at the Palm Beach County Jail.