Florida Nurse Linda Campitelli Remembered as Loving Mother of Two as Former Co-Worker Faces Murder Charge

A Florida community continues to mourn the death of Linda Campitelli, a 50-year-old nurse and mother of two, following a homicide investigation that resulted in the arrest of her former co-worker, Rene Perez.

According to investigators, Linda was found fatally injured near a parking area in October 2024 after leaving home for what her family believed was an evening with friends. Court documents allege that she had arranged to meet Perez, with whom prosecutors say she had previously been involved in a private relationship.

Authorities allege that Linda was ᴀssaulted with a tire iron, suffering fatal blunt-force injuries. Investigators also reported finding evidence at the scene, including significant bloodstains, while additional evidence recovered during the investigation is expected to be presented through the judicial process.

Following a lengthy investigation, Rene Perez was arrested on March 10, 2026, and charged with first-degree murder, use of a ᴅᴇᴀᴅly weapon, and tampering with evidence. He remains in custody at the Palm Beach County Jail without bond. The charges are allegations, and the case will proceed through the court system.

Court filings also reference messages allegedly exchanged between Linda and Perez before the meeting. According to investigators, the communications suggested Linda expressed nervousness about seeing him, while Perez described the gathering as a romantic birthday celebration. The contents of those messages form part of the prosecution’s case and have not yet been fully tested in court.

Linda’s death has left her family devastated. Her mother, Edina Russo, has spoken publicly about the overwhelming grief of losing her daughter, saying she had been unaware of the alleged relationship between Linda and Perez.

While acknowledging that her daughter had faced personal challenges, Russo emphasized that nothing justified the violence alleged by prosecutors.

“My daughter didn’t kill anyone. She made a mistake, but she didn’t deserve this,” she said.

Friends and relatives remember Linda as a caring nurse and devoted mother whose greatest priority was her children. Her death has left two young daughters growing up without their mother, a loss that loved ones say will be felt for years to come.

As criminal proceedings continue, investigators are working to present the evidence before the court, while Linda’s family hopes the legal process will provide accountability and answers.

For those who knew Linda Campitelli, her legacy is not defined by the circumstances surrounding her death, but by the compᴀssion she showed her patients, the love she gave her family, and the memories she created with those closest to her.