A nurse accused of brutally beating his mistress to death after a backseat rendezvous will not face the death penalty if he is convicted of her murder.
Indictment and Charges
A grand jury indicted Rene Perez, 38, of first-degree murder in the October 2024 killing of his colleague Linda Campitelli, 35, on April 2 this year, court records showed. In Florida, a first-degree murder conviction is considered a capital felony and carries a mandatory sentence of either execution or life in prison without parole.
Prosecution Decision
But prosecutors will not be seeking the death penalty in Perez's case, Palm Beach County State Attorney Alexcia Cox revealed in a notice filed last Friday. The notice did not state why the state has chosen not to seek execution. The Daily Mail has approached Cox's office for comment.
Perez, a post anesthesia care nurse, was arrested in Miami last month and charged in connection with Campitelli's death. He remains in custody and has not yet entered a plea, but is set to appear in court tomorrow morning for his arraignment.
Details of the Affair and Killing
Perez and Campitelli, also a nurse, had been romantically involved for two years, despite both of them having doctor spouses, a probable cause affidavit said. Campitelli was found dead on the side of a road in Palm Beach County, Florida on October 28, 2024. The mother-of-two, who was married to a doctor called Jon Campitelli, died from blunt force trauma to the head and body, prosecutors said. Her death was ruled a homicide.
The registered nurse was beaten to death in a makeshift love nest in the back of a Chevy Tahoe belonging to her husband Dr Jon Campitelli after an apparent assignation with Perez, the affidavit said. Photos recovered from her phone show how the back of Dr Campitelli's SUV was transformed into a makeshift bed using medical sheets. The seats were laid down and a 'happy birthday' table cover was affixed to the ceiling, according to the affidavit, which notes that investigators think the back of the car may have been used for an assignation.
Campitelli's mother Edina Russo previously told the Daily Mail that her daughter had been killed after being 'beat to death with a tire iron.' Investigators believe Perez attacked Campitelli inside the Tahoe, drove roughly 18 miles away, and abandoned the SUV, according to the court filing. He then allegedly dragged her body along the road and fled the scene.
Victim's Injuries
Her remains were found about 50 feet away from the Tahoe. Her dress was 'completely torn and blemished with black tar from the roadway,' the affidavit said. She suffered blunt force trauma to the head and torso, a skull fracture and rib fractures, a postmortem examination found. There was also an accumulation of blood in the skull and contusions on her upper back and neck. Her body had significant bruising and severe road rash, and her heels were worn down, disfigured, and distorted. Investigators said her injuries were consistent with that of being compressed against the road while being forcibly dragged.
Motive and Digital Evidence
No motive for the killing has been given. The probable cause affidavit further outlines Campitelli's alleged unhappiness with Perez about the amount of time he was spending with his then-wife, Dr Lisette Pola, instead of her. Detectives identified Perez as a suspect in Campitelli's murder through a trail of digital clues, including the pair's WhatsApp messages.
Campitelli and Perez communicated daily through the platform, investigators said. They often discussed work, familial affairs and made plans for in-person meetings, according to the probable cause affidavit. The day before her death, Campitelli told Perez that she was feeling 'a little nervous' about the special celebration he was planning for her. 'I love you,' she messaged. '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 told her she did not need to worry and claimed he was trying to show that 'I can be romantic,' the affidavit stated. He added that his romantic gesture 'probably wont be as good as what youve (sic) done for me.' Campitelli then confirmed their meeting time and asked him if he was '100% sure this is ok.' He reassured her it was and said 'I love you so much.' She echoed the remark.
The accused killer admitted to having an affair with Campitelli, but told detectives he cancelled their October 28 meeting because 'his son was sick,' the court filing said. But investigators said there were no messages to corroborate his claim. Surveillance camera footage and cell phone GPS data also put him at the scene of the crime.
Victim's Background
Campitelli married her husband Jon in 2016, roughly one year after they met, according to her obituary. They had two daughters together. She started working as a registered nurse in 2014 and was preparing to begin a new position before she died.
Perez's Personal Life
Perez and Pola tied the knot on May 2, 2021 after a yearslong romance. They welcomed their son into the world in 2022 amid their apparent marital bliss. Pola filed for divorce in March last year, alleging that their union was 'irretrievably broken' and 'irreconcilable differences exist,' the dissolution of marriage petition said. It is unclear if the split was triggered by Campitelli's death and the subsequent investigation into Perez.
The Daily Mail has approached Russo, Dr Campitelli, Dr Pola and the attorney representing Perez for comment.
