Introduction
Wade Steven Wilson, the Florida man known as the “Deadpool Killer,” was convicted of two first-degree murders in 2024 and sentenced to death. His case has recently resurfaced in a Paramount+ documentary, prompting renewed scrutiny of his life, crimes, and legal status.
At a Glance
- Conviction: Two counts of first-degree murder, June 2024.
- Sentence: Two death sentences imposed August 2024.
- Current Location: Union Correctional Institution, Raiford, Fla.
- Documentary: Handsome Devil: Charming Killer released January 20 2024.
- Why it matters: Wilson’s case highlights Florida’s death-row procedures and the public’s ongoing fascination with violent crime.
Background
Wade Wilson was born in 1994 in Florida to teenage parents and adopted shortly after birth by Cindy and Steve Wilson of Cape Coral. Early school records show repeated suspensions for aggression, and adulthood records reveal a pattern of domestic-violence arrests, sexual-assault battery charges, drug possession, and substance-abuse treatment.
People who knew him described him as unpredictable, shifting from personable to hostile. Prosecutors argued that this volatility and violence had escalated long before the 2019 murders.
Adoptive Parents’ Letter
During sentencing, an attorney read a letter from Wilson’s adoptive parents:
> “Wade was a joyful child, loved his parents and sisters and was loved immensely in return. But over the teen years, and then especially in the early years of adulthood, Wade began to slip away from us, becoming withdrawn, erratic and depressed at first. Then his addiction was added to mental illness and [he] became, frankly, paranoid and delusional and a sense of loss became increasingly sharp.”
The Crimes
On the morning of October 7, 2019, Wilson met Kristine Melton (35) and her friend at a Fort Myers bar. After the bar closed, the group went to a private residence where Wilson strangled Melton in her bed and fled with her car.
Later that same morning, Wilson encountered Diane Ruiz (43) while she walked to work. He convinced her to get into his vehicle under false pretenses, strangled her, then repeatedly ran her over with the stolen car. The medical examiner found both strangulation injuries and blunt-force trauma from the vehicle.
Arrest and Confession
Wilson was taken into custody less than a day after the murders. His arrest stemmed largely from a series of phone calls to his biological father, Steven Testasecca, in which Wilson confessed to the killings and described the details of each crime.
Testasecca immediately alerted law enforcement, prompting a rapid search that led to Wilson’s arrest that evening. During police interviews, Wilson did not deny his involvement and provided statements that matched physical evidence.
Trial and Sentencing
A Lee County jury convicted Wilson of two counts of first-degree murder in June 2024. In August, a judge imposed two death sentences, ensuring Wilson will remain on Florida’s death row unless appeals succeed.
Current Status
Wilson is incarcerated at the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Fla., which houses the state’s male death-row inmates. He spends most of his time in a cell with limited movement and restricted contact with the outside world.
Appeals
Wilson’s legal team filed several appeals to the Florida Supreme Court in August 2024. One case began in early January 2026, according to WINK News.
Public Response
Paramount+ released the documentary Handsome Devil: Charming Killer on January 20 2024, providing a detailed look at Wilson’s life and crimes. The film has drawn media scrutiny and public debate about the portrayal of violent offenders.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct 7 2019 | Wilson murders Melton and Ruiz |
| Oct 7 2019 | Wilson confesses to father, arrested |
| June 2024 | Convicted of two first-degree murders |
| Aug 2024 | Two death sentences imposed |
| Jan 20 2024 | Paramount+ documentary released |
| Jan 2026 | Appeal case begins |
Key Takeaways
- Wilson’s case illustrates how personal history and escalating violence can culminate in extreme criminal acts.
- The rapid confession and arrest highlight the role of family-initiated tips in violent-crime investigations.
- The death-row sentencing and ongoing appeals demonstrate Florida’s legal process for capital punishment.
- Public interest, fueled by a documentary, keeps the case in the national conversation.
Final Note
Wilson’s story remains a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding violent crime, mental health, and the death penalty in the United States.
