WADE WILSON REMAINS ON DEATH ROW AS APPEAL CONTINUES IN FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

Wade Steven Wilson remains on Florida’s death row as his legal battle continues before the state’s highest court, nearly two years after he was sentenced to death for the 2019 killings of two women.

Wilson was convicted in June 2024 of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43. A Lee County judge sentenced him to death in August 2024.

His direct appeal is now before the Florida Supreme Court under case number SC2024-1345. The case is a death-penalty appeal challenging aspects of his convictions and sentences.

APPEAL HEARD BY FLORIDA’S HIGHEST COURT

The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Wilson’s case on February 5, 2026.

According to the court’s case information, Wilson’s direct appeal raises seven issues in an effort to overturn his convictions and death sentences. The court has not announced a final decision in the case as of September 17, 2026.

The state has opposed Wilson’s appeal. In its filed response, Florida prosecutors argued that the convictions and sentences should stand.

The appeal is an important stage in Florida’s death-penalty process. Wilson remains incarcerated while the courts consider his challenges.

THE 2019 CASE

The convictions stem from two separate killings in Lee County on October 7, 2019.

According to evidence presented during the trial, Wilson encountered Kristine Melton before later encountering Diane Ruiz.

A jury ultimately found Wilson guilty of first-degree murder in both cases in 2024. The jury also recommended death sentences, after which the trial judge formally imposed two death sentences.

Wilson has maintained his legal challenges through the appellate process.

NO EXECUTION DATE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED

Despite receiving two death sentences, Wilson does not currently have an announced execution date.

His case remains within the appellate process, meaning the outcome of the pending proceedings could affect what happens next.

The Florida Supreme Court’s eventual ruling will be an important milestone in the case. Depending on that ruling and any subsequent legal proceedings, further appeals or post-conviction challenges could follow.

For now, Wilson remains on death row.

CASE RETURNS TO THE SPOTLIGHT

Wilson’s case has received renewed attention in 2026 after being featured in true-crime productions, including Paramount+’s Handsome Devil: Charming Killer and Netflix’s second season of Worst Ex Ever.

The renewed attention has also prompted widespread online searches about Wilson’s current status and whether an execution date has been set.

As of September 17, 2026, the key legal development is that his direct appeal remains pending before the Florida Supreme Court.

For the families of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz, the case has now stretched across nearly seven years of investigations, trial proceedings and appeals.

For Wilson, the next major development will depend on the Florida Supreme Court’s ruling and whatever legal proceedings follow.