The mother of slain Florida nurse Linda Campitelli revealed new details of her daughter’s tragic slaying — including that she was bludgeoned to death with a tire iron during an alleged birthday tryst.

“What kind of human does that? Animals don’t even do that,” Edina Russo, Campitelli’s mother, told The Daily Mail.

Campitelli was found dead just 50 feet away from her husband’s car in October 2024. Rene Perez, her married ex-co-worker she was allegedly engaged in an affair with, is accused of killing her during an intimate birthday celebration he arranged for her.

Linda Campitelli wearing a strapless floral top.
The mother of slain Florida nurse Linda Campitelli revealed new details of her daughter’s tragic slaying — including that she was bludgeoned to death with a tire iron during an alleged birthday tryst.Facebook/Linda Campitelli
Campitelli suffered blunt force trauma to her head and torso, four lacerations to her scalp and a fatal accumulation of blood in her skull, according to court documents.

Russo said her daughter was “beat to death with a tire iron.”

Russo admitted that she had no idea Campitelli was cheating on her husband, Jon Campitelli, at the time of her death.

She noted that they were experiencing marital troubles but said Jon “adored” their two daughters and was committed to working through their issues in marriage counseling.

A woman in a floral halter top and matching skirt sitting on a concrete ledge by the water.
Campitelli was found dead just 50 feet away from her husband’s car in October 2024.Palms West Funeral Home & Crematory Inc.
“My daughter was a difficult person to get along with, but her husband adored her,” Russo said.

“What she did was awful…but my daughter didn’t kill anyone,” she added.

Perez was arrested on March 10 and booked on first-degree murder, deadly weapon and tampering with evidence charges for the violent beatdown, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

Start your day with all you need to know

Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

The day before their alleged rendezvous, Campitelli messaged Perez on WhatsApp that she was feeling “a little nervous” about their meetup.

“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,” Campitelli wrote, according to court papers.

Mugshot of Rene J. Perez, the suspect arrested for the murder of Linda Campitelli.
Rene Perez, her married ex-co-worker she was allegedly in an affair with, is accused of killing her during an intimate birthday celebration.Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office

A couple smiling, a man with a beard and a woman with long hair wearing a pink dress.
Edina Russo — Linda Campitelli’s mother — admitted that she had no idea her daughter was cheating on her husband, Jon Campitelli, at the time of her death.Facebook/Linda Campitelli
“LOL, IT’S NO BIG DEAL. JUST TRYING TO SHOW U THAT I CAN BE ROMANTIC. IT PROBABLY WONT BE AS GOOD AS WHAT YOUVE DONE FOR ME,” Perez wrote.

When Campitelli left her home that evening, she told Jon that she was dining out with friends, according to the affidavit.

Start your day with all you need to know

Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Hours later, her mangled corpse was found near Jon’s Chevy Tahoe SUV, which Perez allegedly turned into a lovenest for their steamy date, court papers said.

Large pools of blood trailed from the passenger side door to Campitelli’s body, indicating that she was possibly dragged across the parking lot. There were also bloodstains on the driver’s side door handle, and Campitelli’s blood-soaked Apple Watch was abandoned on the center console, according to court documents.

What do you think? Post a comment.

Perez was ordered held without bond and remains behind bars at the Palm Beach County Jail.