Nurse Planned ‘Romantic’ Birthday Surprise for Lover — Then Beat Her to Death and Dragged Her Behind SUV, Police Say

A married Florida man allegedly planned a birthday surprise for his girlfriend of two years, telling her he can “be romantic” — but instead allegedly killed her in her car and left her body on the roadside.

Rene Perez, a 38-year-old nurse, is accused of murdering Linda Marie Campitelli, 35, on October 28, 2024, in Palm Beach County. Authorities say Perez has been charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering.

Perez and Campitelli planned to meet around 7:30 p.m. “Happy Birthday Hope your birthday is out of this world,” he allegedly wrote on the ceiling of her car.

According to a probable cause arrest affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, police said officials discovered Campitelli’s body at around 11:15 p.m. in a pool of blood on the road.

Perez allegedly beat Campitelli to death before dragging her with her car. She had a large laceration on her head, some bruising around her right eye, and scuff marks on her body.

Autopsy reports revealed blunt force trauma to her head and torso. “The back portion of the victim’s heels was completely worn down, disfigured, and distorted, clearly indicative of being compressed against the roadway, while being dragged or moved with force,” the arrest affidavit said.

Court records show that Campitelli was also married. Her husband told deputies that she had said she was going out with friends on the night of her birthday.

However, her friends later told investigators that she was actually having an affair with her former co-worker, Perez.

“I love you,” Campitelli wrote to Perez the day before her death. “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 allegedly told her “I can be romantic.”

During the investigation, Perez admitted that he was having an affair with Campitelli.

Authorities say Perez initially told investigators he left the office around 11 p.m. on October 28, 2024. However, surveillance footage allegedly showed him driving away from the building at about 6:30 p.m.

Investigators say Perez has not disclosed a motive for the killing.

His court hearing is scheduled for April 9.

In her obituary, Linda was described as “beautiful inside and out; a strong, kind, and thoughtful woman”, who cared about things passionately.

“She was bold, sassy and fun-loving. She was smart as a whip and had a near-photographic memory. She was always up for an adventure and didn’t want to miss out on anything, her calendar filled with fun family outings, date nights, and time with friends,” the obituary said. “She was a fierce competitor, yet had a heart of gold.”

She graduated from Miami Southridge Senior High School, earning a full academic scholarship to the University of Miami. She married her husband, Jon Campitelli in April of 2016, and the couple had two daughters — Olivia and Madison.

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