A Florida man who gained notoriety on TikTok as the “Killer Clown” is making headlines again, this time for a lawsuit filed against law enforcement. Wade Wilson, sentenced to death last month for the brutal murders of Christine Melton and Diane Ruiz in October 2019, has filed a civil suit against the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the state attorney’s office.
Wilson’s trial, which concluded with a guilty verdict on two counts of first-degree murder, provided chilling details about the murders. Prosecutors argued that Wilson, heavily tattooed and sporting a menacing appearance, killed the two women simply for the thrill of it.
Christine Melton, 35, was found dead in her South Cap Coral residence, her body bearing signs of a struggle and strangulation. Diane Ruiz, 43, was discovered in a vacant lot, having suffered a broken nose, broken bones, and multiple rib fractures. Prosecutors revealed that both women were last seen alive with Wilson.
Image of Christine Melton, one of the victims
During the trial, Wilson’s father delivered a shocking testimony, revealing that his son had confessed to the murders during a phone call. He recounted how Wilson described meeting Melton at a bar and later strangling her in her sleep. He also admitted to choking Ruiz after offering her a ride.
Wilson’s defense attorney argued that his client, while responsible for the deaths, was not of sound mind during the murders. However, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution, delivering a death sentence after only 90 minutes of deliberation.
Following the sentencing, Wilson continued to draw attention, this time for the volume of letters he received from women expressing admiration and support. His case took another unusual turn with the filing of the civil lawsuit.
The lawsuit, filed jointly by Wilson and a woman named Jesse Tahukah, remains largely confidential under court seal. While the exact nature of the lawsuit is unclear, speculation arose after a Reddit post, purportedly containing the state attorney’s response, suggested that the suit revolves around the release of Wilson’s recorded jailhouse calls.
The state attorney’s alleged response, as shared in the Reddit post, asserts that no evidence supports the claim that the Lee County Sheriff’s Office released the calls outside of standard investigative procedures. The response further suggests that any public disclosure of the calls likely originated from third parties beyond the control of law enforcement.
Court documents, obtained under a court order, confirm that Wilson and Tahukah are seeking non-monetary relief in the form of a court order to stop a specific action. The documents also indicate that the lawsuit is not a class action and that the plaintiffs are not requesting a jury trial.
Image of Wade Wilson
The lawsuit has sparked considerable debate, with legal experts questioning its timing and the likelihood of success. Former prosecutor Melba Pearson commented on the unusual nature of the suit, noting that it is atypical for an inmate, particularly one on death row, to pursue civil action before exhausting the appeals process.
Pearson also expressed surprise at the injunctive relief being sought, speculating that it could be an attempt to halt Wilson’s execution or to accuse the state attorney’s office of malicious prosecution. However, she emphasized the lack of public information regarding the lawsuit’s specific allegations, making it difficult to assess its merits.
The lawsuit’s confidentiality, the unusual timing, and the limited information available have fueled further intrigue surrounding the case of Wade Wilson, the TikTok “Killer Clown,” leaving the public and legal community eagerly awaiting further developments.
