Wade Wilson: The Double Murder That Shocked Cape Coral
Over the span of less than 24 hours, two women were killed in Cape Coral, Florida by someone neither of them had ever met. Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, had no connection to each other—except that they both encountered Wade Wilson between the night of October 6th and the afternoon of October 7th, 2019.
In this episode of Moms and Mysteries, we break down one of the most disturbing cases in recent Florida history: a double homicide committed by a stranger, a stolen car that connected two crime scenes, and a father who turned in his own son.
The Victims: Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz
Kristine Melton
Kristine Melton was 35 years old and lived in Cape Coral. Friends described her as warm, independent, and social. She worked hard, had built a life for herself, and enjoyed being part of the local scene. She had people who loved her, routines, plans, and a future that still had room to grow.
On the night of October 6th, 2019, Kristine went out with her friend Stephanie Johnson to Buddha Live, a local bar. That's where she met a man who introduced himself as "JR." That man was Wade Wilson.
Diane Ruiz
Diane Ruiz was 43 years old and a mother. She had a family who depended on her and a new fiancé. Life was going well for her. On the morning of October 7th, she was walking to work when Wade Wilson offered her a ride. She got in the car—a decision that would cost her her life.
Who Is Wade Wilson?
Wade Wilson was born on May 20th, 1994 in Florida. His birth parents were teenagers, and he was placed for adoption shortly after birth. He was adopted by Steve and Candace Wilson and raised in Tallahassee.
According to his adoptive mother, Candace, Wade was a great kid. Adults and teachers loved him. But during adolescence, things changed. He suffered multiple concussions, which later became part of discussions about his impulse control and behavior.
By the time he reached adulthood, Wade's encounters with the law were already piling up:
•2012: Involved in burglary and grand theft
•2013: Sentenced to prison for burglary and grand theft (served until September 2014)
•2015: Faced charges of sexual battery and kidnapping (ultimately acquitted)
•2017: Convicted of stealing firearms
•2018: Served as a state's witness in a murder-for-hire case (the Mike Williams disappearance)
•2019: Arrested on a battery charge just months before the murders
By 2019, Wade was drifting between places to stay, spending time in bars, and living a lifestyle that revolved around drinking and unstable relationships.
The Night Everything Changed
On the night of October 6th, 2019, Wade Wilson and his girlfriend Mila went to Buddha Live, a bar in the area. At some point, Wade started pressuring Mila to leave with him and go to a stranger's house. She refused. Wade took her car without permission and left.
After Mila was gone, Wade met Kristine Melton and her friend Stephanie Johnson. He introduced himself as "JR." The interaction seemed normal—just adults meeting at a bar. Kristine agreed to give Wade a ride, and all three of them went back to Kristine's home in Cape Coral.
Stephanie was getting ready to leave because she had work the next day. She said everything seemed fine. Kristine didn't seem nervous or uncomfortable. So she left, assuming she'd talk to Kristine the next day.
But she never would.
The Murder of Kristine Melton
According to the state's case, after Stephanie left, Wade attacked Kristine inside her home and strangled her. It was a close-contact killing that required sustained force. Investigators found no evidence that Kristine had anticipated an attack or had an opportunity to escape.
After she was dead, Wade didn't call 911. He didn't attempt CPR. Instead, he took the keys to Kristine's car and left.
Hours later, when Kristine didn't show up or respond to calls, people close to her started to worry. Someone went to check on her and found her unresponsive. First responders arrived to a scene that quickly shifted from a welfare check to a homicide investigation.
Detectives immediately noticed two critical details:
Kristine had been killed inside her home
2. Her car was missing
That missing vehicle told them something important: whoever had been with her when she died didn't just flee on foot—they took Kristine's car.
The Attack on Mila
Before Diane Ruiz was killed, Wade encountered his ex-girlfriend Mila again. He showed up at the spa she owned at 8:45 AM. When he got to her, he said, "I'm gonna kill you right now."
Mila had no idea what had happened to Kristine, but she knew Wade was violent. She was convinced he was going to kill her. She managed to call 911, and police arrived quickly.
There's body cam footage of the officer trying to get Wade out of the car. Wade kept saying, "I haven't done anything. I'm not getting out of the car." Eventually, the officer called for backup. Realizing it was "now or never," Wade drove off.
The officer didn't pursue him due to protocol about high-speed chases. In that moment, Diane Ruiz's fate was sealed.
The Murder of Diane Ruiz
Later that day, Wade came across Diane Ruiz as she was walking to work. He asked if she needed a ride, and she got in the car.
At some point after she got in, the interaction turned violent. Prosecutors said Wade attacked Diane inside the vehicle. She was beaten and strangled. After she was completely incapacitated, Wade pushed her out of the car—and then drove over her.
More than once.
On a phone call later to his dad, Wade said it was "10 or 20 times." The prosecution said he was trying to make it "like spaghetti."
It took three days for police to find her body in the woods nearby. She suffered injuries consistent with both a physical assault and being struck by a vehicle multiple times.
The Arrest
At some point after the murders, Wade contacted his biological father. During that conversation, he made statements so disturbing that his father contacted law enforcement. According to testimony presented in court, Wade admitted to his father that he had killed both women and said he had been driving Kristine's car.
Wade's father told him he would send an Uber to pick him up—he just needed to know the address. Instead, he sent the police.
His father later said in an interview: "I knew if I did not tell them, he was gonna kill someone else."
When officers arrived, Wade was taken into custody without incident. The stolen car that belonged to Kristine was recovered nearby, sealing the physical link between Wade and the timeline detectives had been piecing together.
The Trial
The Prosecution's Case
Prosecutors didn't rush into graphic details. Instead, they rebuilt the day piece by piece, almost like retracing footsteps through the city. Jurors heard from:
•First responders who described what they saw at Kristine's home
•Detectives who explained how they tracked Kristine's stolen car across Cape Coral
•Crime scene analysts who connected forensic evidence to both crime scenes
•Wade's father, who testified about the phone call where Wade confessed
•Mila, Wade's ex-girlfriend, who described the attack and Wade's narcissistic behavior
•Medical examiners, who explained that Kristine died from manual strangulation (a prolonged act) and Diane suffered trauma from assault and being run over multiple times
By the time the prosecution rested, jurors had heard from officers, analysts, doctors, an ex-girlfriend, and Wade's own father.
The Defense's Case
The defense focused on Wade's mental condition. They presented testimony about his background, substance abuse, head injuries, and possible neurological or psychological issues. They suggested those factors affected his judgment and impulse control, framing the day's events as the actions of someone deeply impaired rather than someone making clear, rational choices.
But prosecutors pushed back. They pointed out that even if someone has a troubled history or a brain injury, that doesn't automatically erase intent. They brought up the timeline: the hours between the murders, the continued driving around town, the assault on Mila, and the phone call to his dad. Those actions, they said, showed awareness and decision-making.
The Verdict
After deliberating, the jury returned with its verdict: Wade Wilson was found guilty of the murders of both Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz.
The Death Penalty
In a capital case, a guilty verdict doesn't end the trial—it moves to a second phase where the jury decides whether the defendant should spend life in prison or be sentenced to death.
Family members of Kristine and Diane took the stand to give impact statements. They spoke about birthdays that would never be celebrated, children growing up without their mom, and the emptiness left in their homes.
The defense presented mitigating factors—reasons the jury should choose life in prison instead of the death penalty. Experts returned to talk about Wade's history of head injuries, substance abuse, and psychological issues.
After hearing both sides, the jury recommended the death penalty. The judge agreed.
Wade Wilson was sentenced to death for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz.
Wade's sentencing took place under Florida's revised capital sentencing law, which allows for a death recommendation even when jurors are not unanimous. In this case, the jury was not unanimous on the death penalty, but it was a majority decision, and the judge agreed.
The Face Tattoos
One of the most sensational aspects of this case is what happened while Wade was awaiting trial: he covered much of his face with tattoos, including a creepy Joker-style skeletal smile and extremist symbols.
There were even motions filed asking the judge if Wade could wear makeup during trial to cover the tattoos. The judge denied the request.
The Disturbing Fan Club
Wade Wilson shares his name with the Marvel anti-hero better known as Deadpool. When reporters referenced his name during pretrial publicity, social media lit up with reactions ranging from disbelief to dark humor to disturbing fascination.
But what's even more disturbing is the online fan club that formed around Wade. Women have been:
•Sending him letters
•Sending him money
•Calling themselves "Wade's Wives"
•Talking to him on jailhouse phone calls where he flirts, asks for money, and manipulates them
His father said Wade has more money in his "canteen" than he needs. He's a user, an abuser, and one of the worst people we've ever covered.
In released jailhouse audio calls, Wade can be heard telling women "I love you," "I can't wait to sleep with you" (despite being in prison for life), and then asking them to "put money on my books" or contribute to a GoFundMe.
One woman even snuck drugs into jail for him and is now serving time herself.
The Documentary
On February 3rd, 2025, a three-part documentary series was released titled “Handsome Devil, Charming Killer”. It explores the Wade Wilson case through interviews, body cam footage, and media analysis.
One of the women interviewed is a girlfriend who showed up to his trial every day. She explained that she believed him at first, then decided he was guilty, but stayed until the end anyway.
Final Thoughts
This case is a reminder that stranger murders, while rare (only 10% of homicides), are absolutely terrifying. Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz were simply living their lives when they encountered Wade Wilson. They had no way of knowing what was about to happen.
Wade Wilson is currently on death row in Florida. His case is moving through the appellate system, where higher courts will review his trial for legal errors.
For the families of Kristine and Diane, the legal process continues. But the loss is permanent.
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