Love Prevails: Red Campitelli

Alicia "Red" Campitelli was a 35 year old well known piercing artist at DaVinci Tattoo and Body Piercing, and resident on Merritt Island in Brevard County, Florida. Everyone who met her, loved her. Friends, family, and clients stated she was a caring person and brought that same energy to her work space; making her clients feel comfortable when having their piercings done. She had worked at the piercing and tattoo parlor for 7 years; many people made appointments to be done specifically by her.

Saturday, May 15, 2021, around 11 a.m., Campitelli was reported dead in her apartment by her fiance, 39 year old, Philip Keller. He explained in the report that he had arrived home to their shared apartment, stating that they had been robbed and that his fiance was shot in the head. Keller stated that he had not been home since around midnight the night before, which was the last time he had seen Campitelli.

Many people in the community came forward stating how much of a kind and bright person she was. Stating that she was a big loss because of how much she was loved, and how special she was. She had a great sense of humor and could light up a room. Her death had greatly impacted the community, including the people that did not know her. People gathered to Facebook using the hashtag #JusticeforRed, everyone shared as much information as possible on her death. Some began to suspect that her killer might have been her fiance, Philip Keller.

It only took a few days for the Brevard County Sheriff's Department to pinpoint their focus on Keller and made him the prime suspect in the killing. After being interviewed by an officer, one of the neighbors in the apartment complex stated that he had heard what sounded like gunshots around 1 a.m. in the early morning that Campitelli was found. The Brevard County Sherrif Wayne Ivey had also stated that Keller had made financial transactions after the gunshots were heard. There had been several withdrawals from her debit card after she died, totaling in over $1,000. Detectives had recorded a phone call with one of Keller's acquaintances, where Keller confessed to killing his fiance while high on molly; claiming that he could not live with himself knowing what he did. He also stated he disposed of the gun in the barge canal in Merritt Island off of Courtenay Parkway.

Thursday, May 20th, an arrest warrant was issued for Philip Keller for the murder of Red Campitelli. Keller was spotted at a location on Merritt Island near Sykes Creek. Keller attempted to jump into Sykes Creek to evade police but was arrested shortly after and sent to the Brevard County Jail Complex for booking. Keller is being held without bond after appearing before Judge Benjamin Garagozlo at the jail complex on the evening Friday, May 21st. His next court appearance is June 17th at 8a.m. at the Moore Justice Center in Viera.

Keller admitted to killing Campitelli once at the Brevard County Jail Complex. He went into detail of an argument the night before between him and Campitelli over his drug use. He stated that he left the room and grabbed Campitelli's gun from their bedroom, loaded it with three bullets, and hid the gun in another closest. He then returned to the kitchen to continue the argument with his fiance before returning to the same closet to retrieve the gun, which Campitelli followed him to. He wrapped a towel around the gun to keep it hidden before firing a shot at her which missed. He then stated Campitelli attempted to duck behind their couch to protect herself before she was shot twice, ending her life. Keller then loaded the gun to have a shootout with law enforcement or to take his own life. He then disposed of the empty shell casings in the toilet and trash before taking her debit cards to withdraw money. He used the money to purchase drugs before returning home to gather the gun and ammunition to dispose of in the barge canal.

Friends and family were relieved to finally have Campitelli's killer arrested and that there will be justice after everything that has happened. A candlelight vigil was held in memory of Campitelli on Sunday, May 23rd at a local park. Attendees wore red and placed roses, flowers, and many other pieces representing their love and loss for Campitelli. The vigil was live streamed on facebook for those that could not attend. Over 100 attendees had shown up to show their support to the family and to mourn the loss of Campitelli. The DaVinci Tattoo and Piercing Parlor held a special event the first week of June where anyone could come in and donate money, or receive a blue snowflake tattoo for $50 in memory of Campitelli and to help the family with funeral costs. Many people on social media showed off their snowflake tattoos in honor and memory of Campitelli and to continue spreading her "light" in the community.