WADE WILSON REMAINS ON DEATH ROW AS LEGAL BATTLE CONTINUES IN DOUBLE-MURDER CASE

Wade Steven Wilson remains on Florida’s death row nearly two years after being sentenced to death for the 2019 murders of two women, as his legal case continues through the appeals process.

Wilson 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, following separate jury recommendations of death in the two cases. Wilson is currently being held at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida, which houses the state’s male death-row prisoners.

THE 2019 MURDERS

The two killings occurred on October 7, 2019, in the Fort Myers area.

According to evidence presented during Wilson’s trial, he met Kristine Melton at a bar before going with her to her home. Prosecutors said Wilson later killed Melton by strangulation and took her vehicle.

Later that same day, Wilson encountered Diane Ruiz, who was walking to work.

Investigators said Wilson persuaded Ruiz to get into the vehicle before killing her. Medical evidence presented in court indicated that Ruiz suffered strangulation injuries as well as severe blunt-force trauma after being struck by a vehicle.

Wilson was arrested shortly afterward.

SENTENCED TO DEATH

A Lee County jury convicted Wilson of two counts of first-degree murder in June 2024.

In August 2024, a judge imposed two death sentences.

The case subsequently entered the appellate process, where Wilson’s attorneys challenged the death sentences on several grounds.

One major issue involved Florida’s death-penalty law.

Florida changed its law in 2023 so that a jury no longer had to reach a unanimous recommendation before a judge could impose a death sentence. Under the new system, at least eight of 12 jurors must recommend death.

In Wilson’s case, the jury voted 9-3 for death in the Melton case and 10-2 in the Ruiz case.

Wilson’s attorneys argued that applying the newer sentencing framework to his case was unconstitutional because the murders occurred in 2019, before the law changed.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT HEARS THE CASE

The case, Wade Steven Wilson v. State of Florida, SC2024-1345, reached the Florida Supreme Court.

The court heard oral arguments on February 5, 2026. The direct appeal raised seven issues seeking reversal of Wilson’s death sentences.

During the hearing, Wilson’s attorney Michael Ufferman acknowledged that the Florida Supreme Court had already upheld the state’s 2023 death-penalty law in other cases.

Rather than rearguing those points, Ufferman said he wanted to preserve the constitutional arguments for possible review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Florida Supreme Court ultimately upheld the lower court’s ruling on the challenge.

ATTORNEYS SIGNAL POSSIBLE U.S. SUPREME COURT APPEAL

Wilson’s legal team has indicated that it intends to continue challenging his death sentence.

At the February hearing, his attorney said the constitutional issue could ultimately be taken to the U.S. Supreme Court.

That does not mean the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case. Any further review would depend on the normal federal appellate process and whether the Supreme Court accepts a petition.

DOES WADE WILSON HAVE AN EXECUTION DATE?

No execution date has been announced for Wade Wilson.

Despite the attention surrounding his case, Wilson remains on death row while his legal proceedings continue.

Death-penalty cases can involve multiple levels of review, meaning a death sentence does not automatically result in an imminent execution.

As of the latest available reports, there is therefore no confirmed date for Wilson’s execution.

HIS CASE HAS DRAWN NEW ATTENTION

Wilson’s case has received renewed public attention following the release of true-crime productions.

Paramount+ released the documentary “Handsome Devil: Charming Killer” in January 2026, while Netflix later featured Wilson’s case in the second season of “Worst Ex Ever.”

The renewed attention has generated widespread discussion online about Wilson’s appearance, the crimes, his death sentences and the appeals process.

However, the legal status of his case remains separate from the online attention surrounding it.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

For now, Wilson remains incarcerated on Florida’s death row.

His convictions for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz remain in place, and his two death sentences remain active.

The next major developments will depend on the continuing appellate process and any further legal action taken by Wilson’s attorneys.

As of September 23, 2026, Wade Wilson remains on death row and has no publicly announced execution date.