PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Linda Campitelli and the man accused of killing her had been concerned in a romantic relationship, in accordance to a possible trigger affidavit.
Perez, 38, is dealing with a first-degree murder charge in her demise, in addition to a cost of tampering with bodily proof. He made a primary look in Palm Beach County court docket on Wednesday.
WATCH: Perez and Campitelli had been in romantic relationship
WhatsApp messages, surveillance footage linked man to killing of nurse
The affidavit particulars that on Oct. 28, 2024, the evening of Campitelli’s killing, Campitelli and Perez, who had been each married, had been assembly up for her belated birthday celebration. The two had been speaking by way of WhatsApp nearly each day, and had been concerned within the relationship for about two years.
A assessment of WhatsApp messages present the 2 communicated the day earlier than the killing, and Campitelli wrote: “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.”
Surveillance footage from Oct. 28 reveals Campitelli’s Chevrolet Tahoe arriving on the Retina Group of Florida Building in Wellington that evening, the place Perez had beforehand labored, and departing at round 9:59 p.m.
A photograph recovered from Campitelli’s telephone reveals the again of the Tahoe the place Perez had laid out a “Happy Birthday” blanket as properly a Ultrasorb medical sheets, with the rear seats laid flat. The medical sheets are the identical form used at Delray Medical Center, the place Perez labored.
WPTV
Detectives imagine the assault occurred at that location, which is thought to be remoted. Campitelli’s Apple Watch was discovered close to the middle console with blood on either side, and DNA evaluation confirmed blood on the scene and within the Tahoe was Campitelli’s. They say Perez then transported her physique within the Tahoe.
Campitelli’s physique was discovered alongside the 6100 block of Lyons Road, 50 toes away from the Tahoe, and the affidavit particulars the extent of her accidents, which included blunt pressure trauma to the pinnacle and torso, a cranium fracture, rib fractures, accumulation of blood within the cranium and contusions on the higher again and neck. There had been additionally postmortem marks in step with a physique being dragged.
When deputies arrived, the Tahoe was nonetheless working and the entrance driver’s aspect tire was flat, suggesting the automobile was purposely disabled. Later that evening, surveillance cameras captured Perez going to Delray Medical Center and discarding one thing within the trash close to the physician’s entrance, earlier than driving to his residence.
WATCH: Linda Campitelli’s mom grateful detective by no means gave up on case
Arrest made in 2024 demise of nurse in Palm Beach County
Perez instructed detectives he had canceled their assembly scheduled for Oct. 28, 2024, however there weren’t WhatsApp or textual content messages to corroborate that declare. He had additionally bought and was utilizing a secret pay as you go telephone.
Perez was arrested Tuesday in Miami and transported to Palm Beach County Jail. He is being held with out bond.
At a PBSO information convention Wednesday on a separate case, Captain Michael Ott with the Violent Crimes Division mentioned detectives interviewed “countless” witnesses, authored greater than 50 search warrants and analyzed “hundreds and hundreds of hours” of mobile phone knowledge. He added {that a} essential piece of mobile phone knowledge related to Perez had not been recognized till just lately.
WPTV’s Zitlali Solache spoke with Campitelli’s mom, Edina Russo, who thanked the detective on the case for persevering with to pursue it.
“There’s 1,000,000 feelings. I’m clearly all the time unhappy however there’s a way of closure,” she mentioned.
