WADE WILSON REMAINS ON DEATH ROW AS LEGAL FIGHT MOVES TOWARD U.S. SUPREME COURT

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

Wilson, who became widely known online as the “Deadpool Killer,” was sentenced to death in August 2024 for the killings of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43.

More than a year later, his case remains in the appeals process — but there is currently no scheduled execution date.

TWO WOMEN KILLED IN 2019

The killings occurred on October 7, 2019, in Cape Coral, Florida.

According to evidence presented at trial, Wilson killed Melton after meeting her at a bar and accompanying her to her home.

He later encountered Ruiz, who was walking to work. Prosecutors said Wilson lured her into a vehicle before killing her.

Wilson was convicted in June 2024 of two counts of first-degree murder, along with additional charges connected to the attacks and theft of a vehicle.

In August 2024, Judge Nicholas Thompson formally imposed two death sentences.

The jury had recommended death by a 9–3 vote in Melton’s case and 10–2 in Ruiz’s case.

HIS APPEAL FOCUSES ON FLORIDA’S DEATH-PENALTY LAW

Wilson’s attorneys have not primarily challenged the underlying murder convictions. Instead, one of the central issues in his appeal has been whether Florida could legally apply its newer death-penalty sentencing rules to crimes committed before the law changed.

When Wilson committed the murders in 2019, Florida required a unanimous jury recommendation for a death sentence.

In 2023, the state changed the law so that a death recommendation could be made with a minimum 8–4 vote.

Wilson’s lawyers argue that applying the newer standard to his 2019 crimes was unconstitutional.

FLORIDA SUPREME COURT HEARS THE CASE

The case reached the Florida Supreme Court, where attorneys argued the death-sentence issue in February 2026.

During the February 5 hearing, Wilson’s attorney Michael Ufferman acknowledged that the court had already upheld Florida’s revised death-penalty system in other cases.

Rather than repeat arguments that had already been rejected, Ufferman said he wanted to preserve the constitutional issues for possible review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Florida Supreme Court subsequently upheld the lower court’s ruling.

NO EXECUTION DATE HAS BEEN SET

Despite the death sentence, Wilson does not currently have an execution date.

The latest available death-penalty records list other Florida prisoners with active execution warrants, but Wilson is not among those scheduled for execution.

Wilson remains incarcerated at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida, while his legal team continues its appeals.

THE CASE HAS ATTRACTED HUGE ONLINE ATTENTION

Wilson’s appearance and the fact that he shares his name with the Marvel character Deadpool have contributed to enormous attention online.

Following his conviction, the case generated thousands of messages and letters from members of the public, including people expressing sympathy or fascination with Wilson.

That online attention has become a controversial part of the case, particularly because the victims’ families and prosecutors have emphasized that the focus should remain on Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Wilson’s attorneys have indicated that they intend to pursue the constitutional arguments further, potentially before the U.S. Supreme Court.

For now, however, his legal status remains unchanged:

Wade Wilson is alive, remains on Florida’s death row, and has no announced execution date.

His convictions for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz and his two death sentences remain in effect while the remaining legal avenues are pursued.