Wade Wilson, infamously known as the “Deadpool Killer,” was sentenced to death on Tuesday, August 27, for the brutal murders of two women in Florida.
The 30-year-old Fort Myers resident remained expressionless as Judge Nicholas Thompson of the Lee Circuit Court handed down the sentence, calling the murders “heinous, atrocious, and cruel,” and labeling the second killing as “cold, calculated, and premeditated.”
Wilson was convicted in June on two counts of first-degree felony murder and two counts of first-degree premeditated murder for the October 6, 2019, strangulation deaths of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, in Cape Coral. The jury recommended the death penalty with a 9-3 vote for Melton and a 10-2 vote for Ruiz. Under Florida law, a death sentence requires at least eight of twelve jurors to agree.
In addition to his violent crimes, Wilson’s tattoos have garnered widespread attention. He is associated with Unforgiven, a white supremacist prison gang in Florida. His tattoos, which are prominently displayed on his face, neck, and hands, include two swastikas—one on his right scalp and another beneath his right eye. During his trial, Wilson was allowed to use makeup to cover these tattoos.
When Wilson was first arrested in 2019, his tattoos extended only to his chin, including one that read “Bred for war.” By the time of his court appearances, however, his face was nearly covered with tattoos, including the swastikas symbolizing hate and white supremacy. Other tattoos include “glory” above his eyebrow and “HA HA HA” under his left eye.
Wilson was found guilty in June for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz. Prosecutors disclosed that Wilson had confessed to his father, Steven Testasecca, detailing his crimes and expressing enthusiasm. He allegedly told his father he wanted to “make Ruiz look like spaghetti” by running her over with his car.
For an in-depth look at Wilson’s crimes and his high-profile trial, a Law & Crime documentary is available for viewing on YouTube.
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