WADE WILSON REMAINS ON DEATH ROW AS LEGAL BATTLE CONTINUES — NO EXECUTION DATE SET

Wade Wilson remains on Florida’s death row as his legal battle continues more than two years after he was convicted of killing two women in Cape Coral.

Wilson, now incarcerated at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida, was sentenced to death in August 2024 after a Lee County jury found him guilty of two counts of first-degree murder.

Despite the high-profile nature of the case and renewed public attention surrounding documentaries about him, no execution date has been set.

TWO WOMEN WERE KILLED IN ONE DAY

The case dates back to October 7, 2019, when Wilson killed Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, in Cape Coral, according to trial evidence and court records.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Wilson first encountered Melton at a Fort Myers bar before going with her to her home.

Later that morning, investigators said Wilson encountered Ruiz while she was walking to work.

Wilson was arrested less than a day later after his biological father contacted authorities following phone conversations in which Wilson reportedly admitted killing two women.

The subsequent investigation and trial attracted widespread attention because of the circumstances surrounding the killings and Wilson’s statements to investigators.

DEATH SENTENCE AND APPEAL

A Lee County jury convicted Wilson in June 2024.

In August of that year, a judge imposed two death sentences.

Because Wilson received the death penalty, his case went before the Florida Supreme Court for mandatory review.

The appeal is Wade Steven Wilson v. State of Florida, SC2024-1345. The defense raised seven issues seeking reversal of his convictions and death sentences.

One major issue concerns Florida’s law allowing a death recommendation without a unanimous jury vote. Wilson’s attorneys have challenged the application and constitutionality of that law in his case.

The Florida Supreme Court heard oral arguments on February 5, 2026.

HIS LAWYERS LATER HALTED PART OF THE CHALLENGE

In February 2026, Wilson’s attorneys ended their challenge to the death penalty in the Florida Supreme Court after acknowledging that recent court rulings had already affected the arguments they planned to make.

However, that did not mean Wilson’s sentence was overturned.

He remains incarcerated on death row while the broader legal process continues.

As of the latest available reporting, there is no publicly announced execution date.

A CASE THAT HAS DRAWN NEW ATTENTION

Wilson’s case has received renewed attention in 2026 following the release of the Paramount+ documentary “Handsome Devil: Charming Killer” and Netflix’s second season of “Worst Ex Ever,” which featured the case.

That renewed attention has brought the case back into the public spotlight more than six years after the two women were killed.

But for the families of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz, the case remains centered on the two women whose lives were lost.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

For now, Wilson remains imprisoned on Florida’s death row while his legal proceedings continue.

The Florida Supreme Court’s eventual decision will determine the next stage of the state-level appeal. Depending on the outcome, further legal challenges may remain available.

For the moment, however, the situation is unchanged:

Wade Wilson remains on death row, and no execution date has been announced.