Mom of 2 Texted ‘I Feel a Little Nervous’ Before Meeting Lover. He’s Now Been Arrested in Connection with Her 2024 Murder

YOU NEED TO KNOW

• On Tuesday, March 10, Rene J. Perez was arrested in Miami in connection with the 2024 murder of his alleged girlfriend, Linda Campitelli.

• Authorities said Perez and Campitelli had been in an extramarital affair for two years and had planned to meet the night he died

• Perez, who was arrested on charges of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence, is expected to appear in court again on April 9.

A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of his alleged lover in 2024.

On Tuesday, March 10, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 38-year-old Rene J. Perez was arrested in Miami in connection with the October 28, 2024 murder of 35-year-old Linda Campitelli. In a news release shared on FacebookAuthorities said Perez was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail. He was investigated on charges of first-degree murder with a deadly weapon and tampering with physical evidence.

Authorities responded to multiple calls in Lantana, Fla., about an “unknown white female” who was “completely unresponsive” and “lying in the southbound lanes of Lyons Road,” according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE. One caller told police the woman had “profuse blood coming from her mouth” and was “lying completely face down.”

Officers were dispatched to the scene between 22:18 and 22:21, and Campitelli was pronounced dead at 22:26.

Examination of the victim revealed that he suffered numerous injuries and bruises, including some consistent with being dragged with force across the road surface, according to the affidavit. The investigation into blood spatters in the car claimed that it was “clearly indicative of a struggle or violent incident”. There was also evidence that “someone was seriously injured and carried into the car.”

His death was ruled a homicide by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office, resulting from blunt force trauma to the head and torso, according to the affidavit.

First responders were able to identify Campitelli, who was about 15 feet away from a car registered to her husband, Jon Campitelli, through her iPhone found next to her body, according to the document.

Authorities later spoke at Jon’s home early the next morning. Jon told detectives his wife left the house between 7:30 and 8 p.m. and was going to dinner with friends. Cell phone records show he didn’t leave the house.

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Interviews with two of Linda’s closest friends revealed that she had possibly engaged in an extramarital affair with a person identified as Perez, according to the affidavit. Both Linda and Perez were married to other people.

A review of Linda’s phone records allegedly showed that Linda and Perez were in frequent contact and exchanged messages about meeting up that evening.

Linda allegedly wrote to Perez in the messages she shared via WhatsApp on October 27, 2024, the day before her death, “I LOVE YOU, I FEEL WEIRD. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT TOMORROW. YOU’VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS FOR ME BEFORE AND I’M FEELING A LITTLE ANGRY.”

“I’M JUST TRYING TO SHOW THAT I CAN BE ROMANTIC. IT PROBABLY WON’T BE AS GOOD AS WHAT YOU DID FOR ME,” Perez allegedly said, according to the affidavit.

“TOMORROW AT 7:30…AND ARE YOU 100% SURE THAT THIS IS OKAY?” Linda responded and Perez said, “YES Mister. YOU GET IT. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.”

A photo on Linda’s phone showed the back of her car with the seats down and a blanket or tablecloth: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY I HOPE YOUR BIRTHDAY IS NOT OUT OF THIS EARTH.” Ultrasorbs Medical Linens were also placed over the lid, the affidavit said.

They were removed from the vehicle before authorities arrived at the scene.

Perez was interviewed by police on November 8, 2024, and told them that he and Linda had been in an ongoing relationship for approximately two years. He said both started while he was working at Wellington Regional Medical Centre.

But he refused to meet her on the night of Linda’s death and allegedly said he had contacted her the day before to cancel and she was “extremely upset”.

Authorities found no evidence to support the claim in text and call logs. Additional video evidence suggested that Perez “lied” to authorities about the time he left work the night Linda was killed, according to the affidavit.

During the search at Perez’s home, it was seen that the same brand of medical sheets were found in his home. The workplace, Delray Medical Center, confirmed to authorities that it had access to the sheets.

Perez appeared at his first hearing on Wednesday, March 11. He appeared before Judge Donald Hafele in the 15th Circuit Judicial Court.

According to hearing records, the first case will be held on April 30 and will return to court on April 9 with a conference schedule. A bail of $50,000 was ordered. Perez is also unable to contact Linda’s next of kin.

Linda left behind two daughters who were under the age of 10 when she died. Palm Beach Post. She was remembered as “spunky, sassy and fun-loving”.

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