The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of the owner of Pawsitively Paradise in Palm City after necropsy results from two forensic facilities concluded that the animals died as a result of blunt force trauma.

Following a lengthy investigation into the suspicious deaths of dogs left in her care, MCSO has arrested Nikki Camerlengo. MCSO detectives arrested Camerlengo in Ft. Pierce where she allegedly moved her dog training and boarding business after an investigation was opened into the deaths.

Criminal Investigation Detective Christine Polizzi says weeks were spent attempting to determine why 2-year-old Cavapoo puppy Beau, 15-year-old Goldendoodle Flurie, and 2-a year-old Flat Coat Retriever Mako suddenly died without explanation. The dogs were all in the sole care of Camerlengo at different times for training, boarding, or grooming.

MCSO alleges that the dogs were in good health before being taken to Pawsitively Paradise. MCSO sent the remains of Beau and Flurie to a lab in Texas for examination. Detective Polizzi also worked closely with ASPCA forensic experts at labs in Florida.

The report indicated that Beau’s injuries were severe and included blows to the neck, chest, belly, and private areas causing hemorrhaging to the brain. Flurie also passed away due to acute hemorrhaging of the brain.

Mako mysteriously passed away in 2022 after drowning on his own vomit. MCSO says his remains could not be sent for analysis due to the amount of time that had passed. Since the announcement of the investigation, more reports have emerged of dogs mysteriously dying or becoming severely injured while in the care of Camerlengo, according to MCSO.