Wade Wilson Sentenced to Death After Brutal 2019 Double Murder in Florida

In October 2019, Wade Steven Wilson killed two women in Cape Coral, Florida, within hours of each other. Five years later a jury convicted him, and in August 2024 a judge sentenced him to death. Along the way Wilson attracted an unusual wave of female attention that drew national headlines.

The Murders

On the night of October 6 into October 7, 2019, Wilson met Kristine Melton, 35, at a Fort Myers bar. He later went with her to her Cape Coral home. After her friend left, Wilson strangled Melton while she slept and stole her car.

A short time later he spotted Diane Ruiz, 43, walking along a street. He pulled over, asked for directions, and lured her into the vehicle. When she tried to get out, he attacked and strangled her, then pushed her from the car and ran over her repeatedly. Ruiz’s body was found days later.

Wilson was arrested the following day. He later confessed details of the crimes to his biological father, who contacted authorities.

Conviction and Death Sentence

In June 2024 a Lee County jury found Wilson guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and related charges. During the penalty phase the jury recommended the death penalty—voting 9-3 for Melton’s murder and 10-2 for Ruiz’s. On August 27, 2024, Judge Nicholas Thompson imposed two death sentences, describing both killings as heinous, atrocious, and cruel.

Unexpected Fan Attention

While awaiting sentencing, Wilson received thousands of messages, letters, and photos from women. Jail records showed nearly 4,000 electronic messages in one month alone after the guilty verdict, along with hundreds of photos (some rejected as inappropriate). Some supporters called themselves “Wade’s wives.” Others wrote to the judge asking for a life sentence instead of death. A few sent clothing for him to wear in court.

Prosecutors publicly criticized the attention, noting that it ignored the brutality of the crimes and the pain inflicted on the victims’ families.

Wilson remains on Florida’s death row. His case continues to raise questions about true-crime fascination, online fandom, and the lasting impact of random violence on the families left behind.

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