The Chilling Case Of Wade Wilson: Florida's Tattooed ‘Deadpool Killer' Who Terrorized Cape Coral
Wade Wilson, the “Deadpool Killer"
In October 2019, the quiet community of Cape Coral, Florida was rocked by the brutal murders of two women. The perpetrator? A heavily tattooed 25-year-old named Wade Wilson, whose horrific crimes and subsequent trial captivated the nation. From his troubled past to his shocking confessions, here's the full story of Wade Wilson and the lives he destroyed.
Listen to this article
Recorded with Shure microphone.
A Night Out Turns Deadly
On the evening of October 6, 2019, 35-year-old Kristine Melton and her friend Stephanie Sailors were enjoying a night out at Buddha Live bar in Fort Myers. The women were in high spirits, chatting and laughing as they made their way to the upstairs bar area. Little did they know that their paths were about to cross with a man who would change their lives forever.
Wade Wilson, then 25, approached the women and introduced himself as "JR". Charming and friendly, he easily joined their conversation. Stephanie later recalled feeling at ease with Wilson initially, unaware of the darkness that lurked beneath his affable exterior.
As the night progressed, Wilson, Melton, and Sailors spent several hours at the home of Jayson Shepard before returning to Melton's duplex in Cape Coral. Sailors eventually left, leaving Melton alone with Wilson. It was a decision that would haunt her for years to come.
A Brutal Murder And A Stolen Car
In the early hours of October 7, Wilson strangled Kristine Melton to death as she slept. The brutality of the attack was evident in the autopsy findings:
- Melton's face was black and blue
- Her fingernails were broken
- There were marks on her neck
- She had been beaten with a curtain rod and suffocated
- Her wrists were bound with a white scarf
After murdering Melton, Wilson attempted to move her body to her car but found her too heavy to lift. Instead, he left her body in the apartment and stole her vehicle.
Jonathan Harker
A Second Victim
Later that same day, Wilson's path of destruction continued. He encountered 43-year-old Diane Ruiz, a bartender who was walking to work. Wilson lured Ruiz into Melton's stolen car under the pretense of asking for directions. When she tried to leave, he violently assaulted her, strangling her before forcing her out of the vehicle and running over her multiple times.
Wilson's own father would later testify that his son had bragged about wanting to make Ruiz "look like spaghetti". Ruiz's body was found three days later in a field behind a Sam's Club, as vultures circled overhead.
Arrest And Confession
Following the murders, Wilson made several calls to his biological father, Steven Testasecca, confessing to the horrific acts. Initially dismissing the calls as storytelling, Testasecca later shared the information with law enforcement after putting the call on speakerphone. He provided police with Wilson's location, leading to his arrest on October 8, 2019.
A Troubled Past
Wade Wilson's path to becoming a killer was marked by a troubled childhood and a history of violence. Born to underage parents and given up for adoption, Wilson grew up in the Tallahassee area before moving to Lee County.
Wilson's criminal history began in 2012, with charges including sexual assault, burglary, child cruelty, and firearm offenses. He served time in the Florida Department of Corrections for burglary and grand theft from 2013 to 2014, and again for firearm theft from 2017 to 2018.
Trial And Sentencing
In June 2024, Wade Wilson stood trial for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz. The jury found him guilty of six charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. On August 27, 2024, Judge Nicholas Thompson sentenced Wilson to death for each of the murders.
During the sentencing, Judge Thompson stated, "The evidence showed both murders were heinous, atrocious and cruel, and that the second murder was cold, calculated and premeditated".
A Legacy Of Pain
The murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz left a devastating impact on their families and the Cape Coral community. Melton was remembered as a witty, nurturing figure who brought comfort to those around her. Ruiz, a mother of two sons, was described as the heart of the bar where she worked, always supportive and vibrant.
Jonathan Harker
As Wade Wilson awaits his fate on death row, the families of his victims continue to grapple with their loss. The case serves as a chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind a friendly facade and the irreparable damage one person's actions can cause.
