Wade Wilson is soon to be a member of Florida’s death row, after receiving two death sentences, for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz. The sentences follow his conviction in June, on two counts of First-Degree Murder, Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Battery, Burglary of a Dwelling, and First-Degree Petit Theft. Assistant State Attorneys Andreas Gardiner and Sara Miller, both in the State Attorney’s Office Homicide Unit, prosecuted the case.
“I want to thank Assistant State Attorneys Andreas Gardiner and Sara Miller for their years of legal work on this complex case and their work during the trial. I also want to thank the Honorable Judge Nick Thompson for rendering the appropriate sentence, due to the heinous, atrocious, and cruel acts of the defendant. This sentence is for the victims. This case is about them,” said State Attorney Amira Fox.
The murders took place in Cape Coral on October 7, 2019. Kristine Melton was strangled to death by Wilson who attacked her as she slept in her bed. He then stole her car from her Cape Coral home and went to see his girlfriend at her Fort Myers business. He then tried to pull his girlfriend into the car and when she fought back, he viciously attacked her. She got away and immediately contacted law enforcement.
A short time later, the defendant saw Diane Ruiz walking along a street in Cape Coral. He pulled over and lured her into the car as he asked for directions. He then beat and strangled her, eventually pushed her out of the car, and repeatedly ran her over.
The Cape Coral Police Department investigated the crimes which led to the identification and arrest of the defendant.
“I want to thank the Cape Coral Police Department for their incredible investigation and gathering the evidence needed for trial. I would also like to thank the jury for their focus during both the guilt phase and penalty phase of this case. I realize that recommending life or death, is the ultimate request we can ask of a juror. The jury’s attention during this trial, even during the difficult testimony and photographs detailing the crime scenes, are to be commended,” said State Attorney Fox.
“The defendant will pay the ultimate price, the highest penalty the criminal justice system has, because of the unthinkable things he did to these two victims. It has not gone unnoticed that this defendant is being idolized by some people who are somehow proud to mix their names with his, through public comments, fundraising for him, or holding him up to be some sort of positive representation of a man, ignoring that he is nothing more than a vicious killer and about the most poor representation of a man that there could ever be. His victims physically suffered tremendously, due to his decision to kill, due to his horrific actions. They fought back, they fought for their lives. This defendant is no idol. It is disgraceful and pitiful to hold him up as such. This defendant is now nothing more than a number in the Florida Department of Corrections, awaiting death,” said State Attorney Fox.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director