Florida killer’s timeline shows path to death row

There’s only one more date remaining to complete the crime-life timeline of convicted killer Wade Wilson’s path to death row.

When he is put to death.

On Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 27), Wilson sat in a Lee County courtroom where Judge Nicholas Thompson handed Wilson the death sentence for killing Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in 2019. Wilson will now head to Florida’s death row as a result of the capital sentence.

According to our court reporter Tomas Rodriguez, who was in the courtroom on Tuesday, “Wilson remained stoic, leaning over to consult with his attorney as the judge spoke.”

This timeline details Wilson’s life of crime dating back to his youth.

Wade Wilson timeline: Convicted killer’s life of crime

May 20, 1994: This is Wilson’s date of birth. His birth parents gave him up for adoption. He grew up in Tallahassee and attended Chiles High School and is listed in the Class of 2012.

2015: Wilson was arrested on charges of sexual battery and kidnapping after a woman told investigators he raped her in his SUV after they met at a party in Tallahassee. Wilson denied the charges. A six-person jury acquitted him at trial.

2018: Wilson emerged as a figure in the trial of Denise Williams in Tallahassee, who was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy in the death of her husband Mike Williams and plotting with her lover, Brian Winchester, to make it look like a boating accident. His disappearance, in 2000, was one of Tallahassee’s most vexing mysteries until investigators finally leveled charges against Winchester and later Williams.

Winchester, who testified against Denise Williams, told jurors he tried to get Wilson, one of his jail mates, to fabricate evidence in the case. He said Wilson went so far as to offer to kill Denise Williams, who was eventually sentenced to life in prison.

Feb. 19, 2019: Wilson’s former girlfriend accused him in January of stealing her laptop and cellphone. The following month, she told investigators he kidnapped and raped her. But Wilson and his former girlfriend were under a no-contact court order, and investigators opted not to pursue the rape and kidnapping allegations. 

September 2019: According to media reports, Wilson pleaded guilty for pawning stolen property in the case involving his ex-girlfriend and was given credit for time served and probation. A media report also said that another woman in Lee County accused him of rape and kidnapping but later decided not seek charges.

July 1, 2019: Wilson was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and charged with battery.Oct. 7, 2019: Wilson, then 25 years old, met Kristine Melton, 35, and her friend Stephanie Sailors at Buddah LIVE, a Fort Myers bar. Steven Testasecca, Wilson’s biological father, said he received a call from Wilson on Oct. 7, 2019, while he was at work. According to Testasecca, Wilson asked for help and said he did something he could not take back.

Oct. 8, 2019: Wilson was arrested for the gruesome crimes he committed.

Oct. 11, 2019: Cape Coral police have confirmed that Wade Steven Wilson, 25, of Fort Myers, is the person of interest in Diane Ruiz’s and Kristine Melton’s deaths.

Sept. 30, 2020: Deputies at the Lee County Jail received information about a possible escape attempt involving Wilson and his cellmate, Joseph Katz. Wilson was charged with attempted escape and criminal mischief.

April 20, 2023: A K9 identified narcotics at the Lee County Jail, near an area where landscaping rocks are laid. Authorities recovered a gray grocery bag with two Ziploc bags inside. Each bag contained loose cigarettes, suspected narcotics, lighters and pills. Both bags tested positive for methamphetamine. Authorities determined Wilson was working with other inmates to plant the narcotics at the Lee County Jail.

June 12, 2024: Wilson was found guilty of the 2019 murders of Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43.

June 25, 2024: The jury in Wilson’s trial recommended he receive the death penalty for each of the murders.

Aug. 15, 2024: Lee Circuit Judge Nicholas Thompson on Thursday denied a motion for new trial for Wilson.

Aug. 27, 2024: Wilson is sentenced to death in the Lee County courthouse by Judge Nicholas Thompson.