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

Wade Steven Wilson remains on Florida’s death row as his legal battle continues nearly two years after he was sentenced to death for the 2019 killings of two women in Cape Coral.

Wilson, now 32, was convicted in June 2024 of two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43.

A Lee County judge sentenced him to death in August 2024.

His case is now before the Florida Supreme Court under Wade Steven Wilson v. State of Florida, Case No. SC2024-1345. The court’s official case system currently lists the appeal as open and classified as a mandatory death-penalty appeal.

THE 2019 CASE

The case dates back to October 7, 2019, when authorities said Wilson killed two women in separate incidents in Cape Coral.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Wilson encountered Melton before going to her home. She was later found dead.

Later that same day, Wilson encountered Ruiz, who was walking to work. Prosecutors said Wilson persuaded her to get into a vehicle before killing her.

The two cases were investigated as separate killings occurring within hours of one another.

Wilson was arrested later that day after his biological father contacted police and reported disturbing statements Wilson had made during phone calls.

After a lengthy trial, a Lee County jury found Wilson guilty of both first-degree murder charges in June 2024.

TWO DEATH SENTENCES

The penalty phase of the trial resulted in separate recommendations for capital punishment.

A judge subsequently sentenced Wilson to death for both murders in August 2024.

He was taken to Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida, which houses the state’s male death-row population.

The death sentences automatically triggered appellate review by the Florida Supreme Court.

THE LEGAL BATTLE

Wilson’s direct appeal was docketed with the Florida Supreme Court in September 2024.

One of the central issues raised by his lawyers concerns Florida’s revised death-penalty law, which permits a death recommendation without a unanimous jury vote.

The appeal raises multiple issues seeking reversal of his convictions and death sentences. The Florida Channel’s archive confirms that oral arguments took place before the state’s highest court on February 5, 2026.

The official court docket continues to identify the matter as an open mandatory death-penalty appeal. A May 2026 docket entry also records the withdrawal of one of Wilson’s attorneys as co-counsel.

NO EXECUTION DATE HAS BEEN SET

Despite the attention surrounding Wilson’s case, there is currently no publicly listed execution date.

The case remains in the appellate process, meaning the death sentences have not resulted in an imminent execution.

The Florida Supreme Court’s case system continues to list Wilson’s appeal as open.

A CASE THAT HAS DRAWN WIDESPREAD ATTENTION

Wilson’s case has received renewed public attention in 2026 following the release of the Paramount+ documentary “Handsome Devil: Charming Killer” and its later inclusion in Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever.

The publicity has also generated significant online discussion surrounding Wilson, his appearance and his death sentence.

However, the legal proceedings remain focused on the convictions and sentences imposed by the Florida courts rather than his growing presence in popular media.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

For now, Wilson remains incarcerated on Florida’s death row while his appeal proceeds.

The official Florida court docket shows that Wade Steven Wilson v. State of Florida remains open, with no future oral argument currently scheduled on the public docket.

His case therefore remains unresolved at the appellate level, and any future development will depend on further court action.

For the families of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz, the case has now stretched across years of investigation, trial and appeals.

For Wilson, the legal process continues — with two death sentences in place, but no execution date currently set.