Wade Wilson, infamously dubbed the Deadpool Killer, was sentenced to death on Tuesday, August 27, for the brutal murders of two women in Florida. The 30-year-old, hailing from Fort Myers, displayed no emotion as Lee Circuit Judge Nicholas Thompson delivered the death sentence.The evidence shows the murders were heinous, atrocious, and cruel, and that the second murder was cold, calculated, and premeditated, Judge Thompson stated in court.The CrimesWilson was convicted in June of murdering Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, on a fateful night in October 2019. The jury, after hearing the grisly details of the case, recommended the death penalty for Wilson.Who is Wade WilsonSharing a name with the Marvel anti-hero portrayed by Ryan Reynolds, Wilsons crimes were far from fictional. On the night of the murders, prosecutors revealed that Wilson first strangled Melton in her home following a drug-fueled sexual encounter. After killing her, he stole her car and called his girlfriend, Melissa Montanez, using Meltons phone. Montanez refused to get into the car after Wilson assaulted her.Later that night, Wilson encountered Ruiz, who was asking for directions in Cape Coral. He invited her into the car, strangled her, and threw her out of the vehicle. Wilson then returned and ran Ruiz over repeatedly, leaving her body mangled.This case was about killing for the sake of killing, Assistant State Attorney Andreas Gardiner told the court. Strangulation is the epitome of life slipping through someones hands.Public and Legal ReactionsWhile in prison for five years, Wilson received thousands of explicit photos and love letters, a phenomenon not uncommon for notorious criminals like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Richard Ramirez.Many supporters wrote to the judge, urging leniency, claiming that Wilson was a different person when medicated. His defense attorneys argued that Wilson suffered brain damage from drug addiction and had abandonment issues stemming from being given up for adoption by his biological parents.Wilsons adoptive parents also pleaded with the court to spare his life, stating, the human is still in there, and asking, Please see it in your heart not to take our son.In addition to the murders, Wilson was found guilty of grand theft, burglary, battery, and petit theft.Victims Families RespondThe sentencing marked the end of a long and painful journey for the victims families. Meltons cousin, Samantha Kelly, described the time between the murders and the sentencing as five years of agony. Ruizs father, Felix Ruiz, expressed his desire to witness Wilsons execution, lamenting, I didnt get to say I love her. I miss her.
