Infamous Southwest Florida killer Wade Wilson is at the center of an episode in the new season of a Netflix documentary, released today, May 6.
Season 2 of “Worst Ex Ever” premiered at 3 a.m. with four new 1-hour episodes.
Episode 1, “Dating the Deadpool Killer” centers around Wilson’s volatile relationship with Kelly Matthews in West Palm Beach ahead of the 2019 murders of two women that ultimately sent him to Florida’s death row. “Kelly thought Wade was ‘the perfect man,’ but life with her handsome boyfriend gets ugly when his erratic behavior escalates into a horrifying rampage,” the episode description reads.
➤ Wade Wilson faced Palm Beach investigation in 2019 before murders
On Oct. 7, 2019, Wilson, 31, brutally murdered Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in unrelated attacks. He was convicted of both murders and sentenced to death in 2024.
Wilson was dubbed the “Deadpool Killer” for sharing his name with the alter ego of the Marvel Comics character Deadpool.
In the years before the murders, Wilson was repeatedly accused of battering and, in two cases, sexually assaulting women he’d been in relationships with. In one of those cases, Wilson was acquitted and authorities chose not to bring charges in the other.
After killing Melton, Wilson went to the business of his then-girlfriend Melissa “Mila” Montanez, assaulted her in the parking lot and tried pulling her into Melton’s car, which he’d stolen.
“Worst Ex Ever” features “gripping testimonials, startling bodycam footage, and vivid animated reenactments that bring harrowing tales of betrayal, violence, and deceit to life,” while “exposing some of the most monstrous relationships and exes you’ll ever encounter,” according to a Netflix description of the show.
Here’s what to know about Wade Wilson and how to watch “Worst Ex Ever” Season 2:
Who is Wade Wilson?
Wade Steven Wilson was born on May 20, 1994, grew up in Tallahassee, Florida and attended Chiles High School. Wilson’s biological parents were teenagers when he was born and gave him up for adoption. His biological father, Steven Testasecca, instrumental in Wilson’s capture, testified at his murder trial.
Wilson has a history of arrests in Leon County dating back to 2012. According to prison records, Wilson was incarcerated in the Florida Department of Corrections on burglary and grand theft convictions from Nov. 26, 2013, to Sep. 19, 2014. He served a second prison sentence for firearms theft from Oct. 17, 2017, to July 15, 2018.
Accusations of violence and other crimes preceded the murders:
What did Wade Wilson do?
On Oct. 7, 2019, Wilson met Kristine Melton, 35, and her friend Stephanie Sailors at Buddah LIVE, a Fort Myers bar.
After the bar closed, Wilson and the two women went to the home of Jayson Shepard, where they stayed for several hours before leaving in the morning.
Wilson, Melton and Sailors then went to Melton’s Cape Coral home. After Sailors left, Wilson strangled Melton to death as she slept in her bed.
He stole Melton’s car and went to see his girlfriend at her Fort Myers business and tried to pull her into the car. When she fought back, he viciously attacked her. She got away and called the police.
A short time later, Wilson saw 43-year-old Diane Ruiz walking along a Cape Coral street, asked her for directions to a nearby school and lured her into Melton’s car.
When Ruiz tried to exit the car, Wilson attacked her, beating and strangling her before pushing her out of the car and running her over 10 to 20 times.
Wade Wilson murder trial
Wade Wilson, then 30, went on trial for his life at the Lee County courthouse in Fort Myers in June 2024.
After days of testimony from 29 witnesses, the prosecution rested its case on June 11. Wilson did not testify on his own behalf.
The next day, the jury found Wilson guilty on all six counts.
The jury reconvened June 20, 2024, for the penalty phase of Wilson’s trial, with the options of recommending sentences of life in prison without parole or death.
On June 25, 2024, the jury voted 9-3 in Melton’s case and 10-2 in Ruiz’s case in favor of the death penalty. Florida juries don’t have to be unanimous and can recommend death with as few as 8 votes.
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, Judge Thompson imposed the two death sentences.
Where is Wade Wilson now?
On Aug. 30, 2024, Wilson was transferred from the Lee County jail to Florida’s death row at Union Correctional Institution, where he remains incarcerated.
Union Correctional Institution is located in Raiford, Florida, near Starke.
Wade Wilson execution date
Wilson’s attorneys filed an appeal after his death sentence, which went directly to the Florida Supreme Court.
Once all appeals are exhausted and he is denied executive clemency by the governor, Wilson can be executed once the governor issues a death warrant.
The process can take years. Tommy Zeigler has been on Florida’s death row since 1976.
The Florida Department of Corrections lists the average as 13 to 14 years.
New season of ‘Worst Ex Ever’ now on Netflix
“Worst Ex Ever” Season 2 is streaming four new 1-hour episodes on Netflix, beginning on May 6 at 3 a.m. ET.
How to watch ‘Dating the Deadpool Killer’ on ‘Worst Ex Ever’ Season 2
“Worst Ex Ever”, including Episode 1 “Deating the Deadpool Killer, which centers around Wilson is available on Netflix with a subscription. Season 2 premiered today, May 6, 2026.
Netflix pricing:
How to watch Wade Wilson doc ‘Handsome Devil: Charming Killer’
Wilson, 31, who shares his name with the Marvel Comics character Deadpool, is also at the center of the recently released Paramount+ documentary “Handsome Devil: Charming Killer.”
The Wade Wilson documentary “Handsome Devil: Charming Killer” was released in January and is currently available for streaming on Paramount+ with a subscription.
Plans are priced at $8.99 per month for essential to $13.99 per month for premium, with savings available for annual plans.
Kim Luciani is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s Audience team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-press.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida crime case on Netflix. Wade Wilson episode on ‘Worst Ex Ever’
Reporting by Kim Luciani, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
