Wade Wilson Sentenced to Death for Double Murder

Wade Wilson, a 30-year-old man, has been sentenced to death by Judge Nicholas R. Thompson for the brutal murders of two women, Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43. The sentencing took place in a Florida courtroom on August 27, 2024, where Wilson showed no visible emotion as the verdict was announced.

Wilson was found guilty on June 12, 2024, of first-degree murder in the deaths of both Melton and Ruiz. The jury’s recommendation for the death penalty was based on several aggravating factors, including the heinous nature of the crimes. In Melton’s case, the jury voted 9-3 for the death penalty, while in Ruiz’s case, the vote was 10-2.

The criminal acts began on October 6, 2019, when Wilson met Melton at a bar named Buddah LIVE in Fort Myers. After spending the night at Melton’s home, Wilson strangled her to death while she slept. He subsequently stole her car and later encountered Ruiz, whom he lured into the vehicle under false pretenses.

During the attack on Ruiz, who was on her way to work, Wilson brutally beat and strangled her before discarding her body in a field where it was found three days later. Court testimonies revealed the horrific nature of these crimes, including graphic details shared by Wilson himself during conversations with an acquaintance.

Although Wilson’s defense aimed to argue for a lesser sentence, citing his struggles with drug addiction, the jury and judge found the evidence of his alleged impairment insufficient to warrant a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Testimony from expert witnesses conflicted, with some indicating possible cognitive dysfunction while others found no significant brain injury.

In the aftermath of the ruling, family members of the victims expressed relief and vowed to attend Wilson’s execution when the time comes. Kristine Melton’s cousin stated, ‘This will not be the last that Wade Wilson sees of us in a courtroom,’ emphasizing their desire for justice following the tragic loss of their loved ones.