Wade Wilson, sharing a name with the Marvel anti-hero, received the death penalty for the brutal murders of two women in Florida in 2019. The case, filled with gruesome details and unexpected online notoriety, concluded with a judge upholding the jury’s recommendation for capital punishment.
By October 10, 2019, when Diane Ruiz’s body was discovered in a Cape Coral field, Wade Steven Wilson was already in custody. Arrested initially for burglary and battery, Wilson’s chilling confession to his father during a phone call led police to connect him to the murders of Ruiz and Kristine Melton. The shared name with the popular Marvel character earned him the moniker “Deadpool Killer,” adding a bizarre layer to the already horrific case.
Wilson’s initial arrest stemmed from an attack on his then-girlfriend, Melissa Montanez, and a series of break-ins. However, the discovery of Melton’s body in her home and Ruiz’s body days later shifted the investigation dramatically. The Cape Coral Police Department, working with the State Attorney’s Office, meticulously gathered evidence, including forensic analysis and autopsy reports, before formally charging Wilson with two counts of first-degree murder on November 19, 2019.
Kristine Melton, a waitress originally from Illinois, was described by her brother as kind and fun-loving. She had met Wilson at a bar the night before her murder. Diane Ruiz, a beloved bartender and mother of two, was last seen heading to work at the Moose Lodge. Prosecutors argued that Wilson lured Ruiz into his car under false pretenses before brutally beating and running her over multiple times.
Wilson’s apprehension was aided by his own father, Steven Testasecca, who, after receiving a disturbing confession from his son, contacted the authorities. Wilson, found in an unoccupied residence he had broken into, initially faced charges unrelated to the murders.
Despite a recorded confession to police, Wilson later denied any involvement in the murders during jailhouse interviews, claiming both women were alive when he last saw them. However, the prosecution presented a compelling case during the June 2024 trial, detailing the sequence of events and emphasizing the brutality of the crimes. The jury deliberated for only two hours before finding Wilson guilty on all charges.
The penalty phase of the trial included emotional testimony from the victims’ families, highlighting the devastating impact of their loss. While the defense argued for a life sentence, citing Wilson’s mental state and potential brain damage, the jury ultimately recommended the death penalty for both murders.
Adding another twist to the case, Wilson garnered significant online support, with petitions and fundraisers launched on his behalf. This unexpected attention drew criticism from prosecutors, who condemned the idolization of a convicted murderer. Judge Nicholas R. Thompson, after denying a motion for a new trial, formally sentenced Wilson to death on August 27, 2024. Wilson was subsequently transferred to Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida, to await execution while his case undergoes automatic appeal to the Florida Supreme Court. The “Deadpool Killer” case remains a chilling reminder of the complexities of crime and the enduring power of online communities.
