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In the humid October heat of Cape Coral, Florida, on October 7, 2019, a chilling call shattered the Wilson family: Wade’s father received a frantic plea from his 25-year-old son, admitting, “There were two people and I did something I can’t take back. I’m a killer.” What followed was a gruesome double homicide that earned Wade Wilson the moniker “Deadpool Killer” for his chilling resemblance to the Marvel anti-hero.
Searches for “Wade Wilson Deadpool Killer,” “Wade Wilson Florida murders,” and “Wade Wilson death row 2025” have spiked amid recent prison selfies showing his drastic transformation and reports of over 100 X-rated fan letters. As of October 2025, Wilson awaits execution on Florida’s death row, with no new appeals but ongoing media buzz from true crime docs and the victim’s family statements. This in-depth timeline explores his chaotic upbringing, the brutal 2019 slayings, the investigation twists, and the shocking trial. If you’re unraveling cases like Ivan Milat or Kenneth Parks, buckle up: This one’s a raw dive into remorseless evil.
Wade Wilson’s Early Life: A Troubled Path from Adoption to Chaos
Born May 20, 1994, to teenage parents Steven Testasecca (15) and his mother (14), Wade’s arrival was unplanned chaos. Overwhelmed and broke, they placed him for adoption with Steve and Candice Wilson, a progressive couple from their church in Tallahassee. The Wilsons, with two daughters, provided a loving home: Stable, affluent, with dogs and cars symbolizing security.
- Golden Boy Facade: Wade thrived initially: School, sports, friends. But cracks emerged: Hyperactivity, petty thefts, bullying.
- Teen Turbulence: Expelled for fights, dropped out at 16. Moved to Cape Coral with aunt; drugs, alcohol, arrests for battery (2014), marijuana.
- Red Flags Ignored: Despite jail stints and rehab, the family saw “potential”; no early intervention for rage issues.
By 2019, unemployed and drifting, Wade’s demons boiled over.
The Crimes: Kristine Melton & Diane Ruiz Murders – A Night of Pure Terror
October 7, 2019: Wade, high on meth, prowled Cape Coral apartments, seeking “fun.” First victim: Kristine Melton, 35, single mom of three, met via app.
- Melton Assault: At her home, Wade beat her with a fire extinguisher, stabbed her 20+ times; she died pleading for her kids.
- Ruiz Horror: Hitchhiking Diane Ruiz, 45, he strangled her in his truck, dumped her naked in the woods, and stomped her face post-mortem.
- Motive?: None: “I just felt like killing someone,” Wade confessed.
Bodies found days later: Melton in her apartment, Ruiz in the woods.
Investigation & Arrest: From Confession to the “Deadpool” Nickname
Wade’s call to dad alerted police; he surrendered on October 8, reenacting crimes.
- Swift Breakthrough: DNA, texts, truck fibers linked him. Nicknamed “Deadpool” for Wilson’s resemblance and quips.
- Charges: Two first-degree murders, grand theft; held without bond.
Case Timeline Table:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Oct 7, 2019 | Murders of Melton & Ruiz. |
| Oct 8, 2019 | Arrest & confession. |
| Aug 2022 | Trial begins; guilty on all counts. |
| Aug 2023 | Death sentence imposed. |
| Mar 2025 | New prison selfies surface; bloated, disheveled. |
| Oct 2025 | Victim sons speak; over 100 fan letters reported. |
Trial & Sentencing: No Remorse, Death Penalty Delivered
2022 trial: Prosecution proved premeditation; defense claimed meth-fueled blackout. Wade testified: “It was fun.”
Victim Impact: Cousins, friends, Ruiz’s son testified: Heart-wrenching loss of loving aunt, mom.
Verdict: Guilty August 2022; death August 2023. Judge: “Cold, calculated.”
Appeals: Ongoing; Florida’s lethal injection queue is long.
Adoptive parents pleaded mercy; denied. Read more: Ivan Milat: Australia’s Backpacker Killer – Belanglo Forest Murders
Wade Wilson Death Row 2025: Unrecognizable Photos, Fan Mail & Victim Sons Speak Out
October 2025: Wilson, 31, at Union Correctional Institution, awaits appeals. March selfies: Bloated, tattooed, far from “Deadpool” charm.
- Creepy Fan Mail: Over 100 X-rated letters; prison tablet selfies fuel notoriety.
- Victim Sons’ Pain: Ruiz’s son: “Mom gone, no one to celebrate with.” Melton’s family: Eternal questions from kids.
- Media Wave: A&E special (Oct 7, 2025) recaps; no execution date.
X trends: “Wade Wilson unrecognizable” (October 19 spikes).
Why Wade Wilson’s Case Haunts Florida True Crime
A motiveless thrill-kill by a “normal” guy: Echoes Milat’s highway hunts. No remorse: “Killing was fun.” Raises questions: Adoption’s role? Meth’s grip?
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