**WEST PALM BEACH, FL — **Prosecutors have unveiled a haunting final message sent by a Florida nurse to her secret lover just hours before she was brutally beaten to death in what was supposed to be a romantic birthday "love nest."
The revelation comes following the Tuesday, March 10, 2026, arrest of Rene J. Perez, 38, who is accused of murdering Linda Campitelli, 35, during a clandestine affair that turned deadly.
The case, which has simmered for over a year since the October 2024 killing, has captivated the public due to the "clashing lives" of the two medical professionals, both of whom were married to other people at the time of the affair.
**A "Birthday Surprise" Gone Wrong
According to the arrest affidavit, Perez allegedly lured Campitelli to an isolated location under the guise of an elaborate birthday celebration.
- **The Final Text: **On the day before her death, Campitelli sent a WhatsApp message that now serves as a_ "Chilling Omen": “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.”_
- The "Love Nest": Investigators found a "Happy Birthday" blanket laid out in the back of Campitelli’s still-running Chevy Tahoe. Discovered alongside the blanket were absorbent medical pads, supplies sourced from the hospital where both the victim and suspect worked.
- **The Violence: **Campitelli’s body was found nearby with a broken skull, broken ribs, and severe blunt force trauma to her neck and back. Evidence suggested her body had been dragged from the vehicle after the "Tactical Strike" occurred inside.
A Year-Long "Intelligence War"
While the murder took place in late 2024, it took until March 2026 for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to finalize the "Legal Shield" necessary for an arrest.
- **The Alibi Collapse: **Perez initially claimed he had canceled the birthday meeting and was not present. However, digital forensics revealed an "Incommunicado" gap, there were no messages found on either phone supporting his claim that the date was called off.
- **The Miami Arrest: **Perez was apprehended in Miami on March 10, 2026. He now faces charges of First-Degree Murder with a Deadly Weapon and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
- **Community Reaction: **The case has sparked a "Character War" online, with hundreds of comments debating the complexities of the pair’s two-year affair and the tragic end of a woman dedicated to the nursing profession.
Forensic Evidence v. The "Quiet" Suspect
On March 12, 2026, the legal strategy for the prosecution became clear, focusing on the "premeditated nature" of the birthday setup.
- **The Medical Supplies: **Prosecutors argue that the use of hospital-grade pads indicates a "Master Plan" to contain the mess of a planned violent act, rather than a spontaneous romantic gesture.
- **The WhatsApp Trail: **The daily communication between the two is being used to dismantle Perez's "Character Shield," showing a pattern of behavior that led directly to the nervous final message from the victim.
- **The Defense: **Perez’s legal team has not yet issued a formal statement, but they are expected to challenge the "Tampering" charges and the timeline established by the digital evidence.
"You’ve Never Done Anything Like This"
The tragic irony of Campitelli’s nervousness is not lost on investigators. For the West Palm Beach authorities, the goal was to finally provide "Justice for Linda" after a meticulous 16-month investigation.
For the suspect, the goal is now to navigate a first-degree murder charge that could lead to a life sentence.