Inside the Wade Wilson Case: Two Murders, a Viral Mugshot and the Paramount+ Docuseries

Wade Wilson was convicted in June 2024 of murdering two women in Cape Coral, Florida, on Oct. 7, 2019 — crimes now examined in the Paramount+ three-part documentary series Handsome Devil: Charming Killer. The brutal killings, Wilson’s subsequent confession to his biological father and the viral reaction to his mugshot prompted national attention and renewed scrutiny of the case.

What Happened

Prosecutors say Wilson killed 35-year-old Kristine Melton and 43-year-old Diane Ruiz within hours of each other on Oct. 7, 2019. According to charging documents and trial testimony, Wilson met Melton at a Fort Myers bar the night before, returned to her home and strangled her while she slept. He then stole Melton’s vehicle and drove away.

While driving in Cape Coral, Wilson encountered Ruiz as she walked to work. Investigators say he stopped to ask for directions, lured Ruiz into his car under false pretenses, then beat and strangled her. After forcing her from the vehicle, he ran over her multiple times. Both victims died as a result of their injuries.

Arrest and Confession

Wilson was arrested on Oct. 8, 2019, after he telephoned his biological father, Steven Testasecca, and confessed to the killings. Testasecca testified that his son told him, “I’m a killer,” and described the crimes in detail. Testasecca immediately alerted law enforcement and persuaded Wilson to surrender peacefully.

Trial, Conviction and Sentence

Following a lengthy trial, a jury convicted Wilson in June 2024 on multiple counts, including burglary, battery and two counts of first-degree murder. During sentencing, 20th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Nicholas Thompson described the murders as “heinous, atrocious and cruel,” and characterized the second killing as “cold, calculated and premeditated.” In August 2024 Wilson received a death sentence.

Assistant State Attorney Andreas Gardiner: “This case was about killing for the sake of the killing. Strangulation is the epitome of life slipping through someone’s hands.”

Background And Prior Allegations

Born in Florida on May 20, 1994, Wilson was adopted shortly after birth and raised in Tallahassee. He had prior run-ins with the law, including convictions for burglary and battery. In early 2019 an ex-girlfriend accused him of stealing her laptop and phone and of kidnapping and raping her; authorities did not pursue the kidnapping and rape allegations at the time because the pair were under a no-contact court order, according to reporting.

The Documentary And Online Reaction

The Paramount+ series Handsome Devil: Charming Killer, which premiered Jan. 20, 2024, explores why Wilson committed the murders and how his mugshot and backstory spurred a social-media frenzy. The three-part documentary combines trial excerpts, interviews and reporting to examine both the crimes and the broader online reaction that followed.

Community Response

Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore said he sat with the families of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz as the verdict was read and relayed their gratitude for the investigative team’s work. The killings shocked the Cape Coral community and prompted extensive media coverage as courts processed the case.

Note: This article summarizes public reporting and court testimony related to the Wilson case. Some allegations cited in pretrial reporting were not prosecuted and remain separate from the murder convictions.