Florida’s “Deadpool Killer” Confessed to Killing Two Women in One Day — His Own Father Helped Bring Him to Justice

In October 2019, a quiet corner of southwest Florida became the scene of a horrifying double murder that would later shock the nation. Wade Steven Wilson, who became known in the media as the “Deadpool Killer” because he shared his name with the Marvel comic-book character, killed two women within hours of each other in Cape Coral. What made the case even more disturbing was the way Wilson reportedly described the violence during a phone call with his biological father, speaking about one victim in chillingly casual terms. That conversation would become a crucial turning point in the investigation.

The first victim was Kristine Melton, 35, whom Wilson met at a bar in the Fort Myers area on October 6, 2019. After leaving the bar together, they went to her home. According to the evidence presented in court, Wilson later strangled Melton while she was asleep. He then took her vehicle and drove away. Her death marked the beginning of a series of events that would unfold over the following hours, leaving two families devastated and a community struggling to understand the brutality of the crimes.

Later that day, Wilson encountered Diane Ruiz, 43, as she was walking to work in Cape Coral. Investigators said he offered her a ride and persuaded her to get into the vehicle. He then attacked her, strangling and beating her before running over her with the stolen car multiple times. Ruiz’s body was discovered days later in a field. She was a working woman with a family and a life of her own, and her death left loved ones waiting for answers while police worked to identify the person responsible.

One of the most disturbing developments came when Wilson called his biological father, Steven Testasecca, and spoke about the killings. During the conversation, Wilson reportedly admitted that he had killed two women that day. Testasecca later testified that his son described Ruiz’s body as looking “like spaghetti” after running over her. The apparent lack of remorse shocked his father, who realized that the situation was far more serious than he could have imagined. Although he initially wanted to help his son, Testasecca ultimately contacted law enforcement and provided information that helped police locate Wilson.

Wilson was arrested on October 8, 2019, and investigators assembled evidence that included witness accounts, phone records and his own statements. The case proceeded to trial, where prosecutors presented evidence linking him to both murders. In June 2024, a jury found him guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, along with additional offenses connected to the case. The court heard details of the killings that highlighted the severity of the crimes and the devastating impact on the victims’ families.

In August 2024, a judge sentenced Wilson to death for both murders. The sentencing followed jury recommendations that were not unanimous, with votes of 9–3 and 10–2. The judge described the crimes as especially cruel, and Wilson was placed on death row at Union Correctional Institution in Florida. As of October 2026, he remains under a death sentence while legal appeals continue; no execution date has been announced.

The case has continued to draw attention because of both the brutality of the crimes and the role Wilson’s father played in bringing him to justice. Testasecca faced an agonizing choice: protect his biological son or tell authorities what he had learned about two women who had been killed. He ultimately chose to cooperate with investigators, later explaining that he thought about how he would feel if one of the victims had been his own mother, daughter, sister or wife. His decision helped authorities move the investigation forward and gave the victims’ families a path toward answers.

Behind the headlines and the disturbing confession were two women whose lives mattered far beyond the circumstances of their deaths. Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz were not simply names in a criminal case; they were people with loved ones, relationships and futures that were taken away. Their families have had to endure years of legal proceedings while remembering the lives that existed before the tragedy. The case remains a stark reminder of the lasting consequences of violent crime—and of the difficult decisions that can confront families when someone they love is accused of causing devastating harm.

Source: ar.newcarsz.com