There is only one key date left in the timeline of convicted murderer Wade Wilson, which marks his path to death row: the date of his execution.
On Tuesday afternoon, August 27, Wilson appeared in a Lee County courtroom where Judge Nicholas Thompson sentenced him to death for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in 2019. As a result, Wilson has been sent to Florida’s death row.
According to court reporter Tomas Rodriguez, who was present during the proceedings, Wilson displayed a stoic demeanor, occasionally leaning over to consult with his attorney as the judge delivered the sentence.
Wilson’s criminal history spans back to his youth.
Timeline of Wade Wilson’s criminal activities:
May 20, 1994: Wade Wilson was born and later adopted. He grew up in Tallahassee, graduated from Chiles High School in the Class of 2012.
2015: Wilson was arrested for sexual battery and kidnapping after a woman alleged that he raped her in his vehicle following a party in Tallahassee. He denied the accusations, and a jury ultimately acquitted him.
2018: Wilson became involved in the trial of Denise Williams in Tallahassee, who was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy related to her husband Mike Williams’ disappearance in 2000. Denise conspired with her lover, Brian Winchester, to stage the crime as a boating accident. During the trial, Winchester testified that he had tried to encourage Wilson to fabricate evidence, even offering to kill Denise, who was later sentenced to life in prison.
February 19, 2019: Wilson’s ex-girlfriend accused him of stealing her laptop and cellphone. She later alleged that he kidnapped and raped her, but authorities opted not to pursue the case due to a no-contact court order between the two.
September 2019: Wilson pleaded guilty to pawning stolen property related to his ex-girlfriend’s case, receiving time served and probation. Reports also surfaced of another woman in Lee County accusing him of similar crimes, but she chose not to press charges.
July 1, 2019: Wilson was arrested and charged with battery by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
October 7, 2019: Wilson, then 25 years old, met Melton, 35, and her friend Stephanie Sailors at a Fort Myers bar. His biological father reported receiving an alarming call from Wilson that day, in which he expressed needing help for something irreversible he had done.
October 8, 2019: Wilson was arrested for the murders he committed.
October 11, 2019: Cape Coral police identified Wilson as a suspect in the deaths of Melton and Ruiz.
September 30, 2020: Wilson was charged with attempted escape from the Lee County Jail along with criminal mischief after authorities received reports of a possible escape plot involving him and his cellmate.
April 20, 2023: A K9 detected narcotics at the jail, leading to the discovery of bags containing cigarettes and suspected drugs, which tested positive for methamphetamine. It was determined that Wilson collaborated with other inmates to smuggle narcotics into the facility.
June 12, 2024: Wilson was found guilty of the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz.
June 25, 2024: A jury recommended the death penalty for Wilson for each of the two murders.
August 15, 2024: Judge Nicholas Thompson denied Wilson’s motion for a new trial.
August 27, 2024: Wilson was formally sentenced to death by Judge Thompson in the Lee County courthouse.