Alicia Cristina ‘Red’ Campitelli, a 35-year-old body piercer from Merritt Island, Florida, was tragically found dead in her apartment on May 15, 2021. The discovery was made after her fiancé, Phillip Keller, called 911 to report that Campitelli was unresponsive and that their home had been broken into. Upon arrival, deputies found Campitelli with gunshot wounds and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial report suggested a possible break-in, but further investigation quickly shifted focus to Keller, who had injuries consistent with a struggle and a gunshot wound.
The investigation revealed that Keller had been using Campitelli's debit card to make multiple withdrawals shortly after the time of her death. Surveillance footage and recorded phone calls further implicated Keller. In these calls, Keller confessed to a friend that he had killed Campitelli while under the influence of MDMA, a psychoactive drug known for its effects on mood and perception. He admitted to shooting her twice in what he described as a state of altered consciousness.
Keller was arrested and charged with first-degree premeditated murder, grand theft, criminal use of personal information, fraudulent use of a credit card, and tampering with evidence. He was indicted by a grand jury and held without bond. The case drew significant attention from the local community, with many expressing their grief and calling for justice for Campitelli, who was well-known and loved in her community.
The legal proceedings against Keller included detailed testimonies and evidence that painted a clear picture of the events leading up to Campitelli's death. Despite his initial claims of a break-in, the evidence overwhelmingly pointed to Keller's guilt. The case highlighted issues of domestic violence and substance abuse, sparking conversations about the need for better support systems for individuals in similar situations.
