Honoring the Life of Alicia "Red" Campitelli
Conquering Battles and Impacting Lives
I met Alicia "Red" Campitelli 14 years ago, in 2007. We did model photography networking in Florida, mainly on the east coast and in Orlando. She modeled with her redheaded twin sister, Alana. Both are beautiful women with vibrant long red hair and unique personalities, which make them unforgettable. In the world of redheads, there's this immediate understanding of one another, a bond that we form. A part of our identities, for most people, revolves around our natural red locks.
In our time spent together, Alicia began her piercing career in Cocoa Beach, Florida. She was passionate about the art of piercing and was comfortable working with needles. After observing hundreds of piercings and completing health and safety courses, she was ready for the apprenticeship period and began to pierce. She was excited to practice and was able to convince me to get in her chair. I was one of the first set of people she "stabbed."
Her excellent vision and hand coordination were just the beginning of her skills. Alicia could make anyone and everyone feel comfortable and worked with all body types. She loved meeting different people, and her interaction with clients quickly made her one of the most recommended piercers in Brevard County.
Alicia's easy-going personality and ability to look past anyone's flaws made her a special friend. She was forgiving, nonjudgmental, caring, and loving. Alicia is someone that accepted people for who they were and loved unconditionally. She also fought with addiction, and after conquering her battle, she began advocating for others still struggling.
Just celebrating over five years sober, Alicia was a warrior proud to share her story and use her voice to help save others from the grip hold of addiction. In fact, through our friendship, she met my little sister, who too battled addiction. She inspired others to get clean and to find purpose in life again.
A Symbol of Uniqueness
Did you know that two snowflakes can't form complicated designs in the same way? Every snowflake is remarkable, and Alicia appreciated the individuality of every person she met. A snowflake represents Alicia so well and is a symbol she cherished and even had tattooed. If you're struggling, know that you're not alone and there is hope for a better future. If you're in addiction, know that you can overcome it! She would want you to stay strong, continue your path to recovery, and appreciate how unique you truly are.
Learning that Alicia was brutally taken from the world on May 15th, 2021, was devastating. Her fiancé Philip Keller was arrested on May 20th and charged with First Degree Premeditated Murder, Grand Theft, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, and Tampering with Evidence.
This loss was unimaginable, and witnessing the number of lives Alicia impacted was overwhelming. She inspired many with her story and perseverance and was a strong woman with a big heart. Alicia had an infectious laugh, a great sense of humor, a beautiful smile, was creative, had a fun personality, and lit up the room.
A loss of such an incredible person felt throughout the community, many friends, and her family. Alicia "Red" Campitelli's legacy will live on within every person she impacted over the 35 years of her life. She will not be forgotten, and her #RedStrong advocacy will continue to influence the lives she transformed even though she's gone.
If you'd like to donate to Alicia's family, there is a GoFundMe set up by Misti McDermott. The family plans to use the funds toward recovery support and children's charities in Alicia "Red's" name.
To make a donation: LINK
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