In October 2019, a chilling series of murders shocked the quiet community of Cape Coral, Florida. At the center of this horrific crime spree was Wade Steven Wilson, a man whose actions would earn him the moniker “The Cape Coral Strangler” and ultimately lead to his conviction for two brutal murders.
The Fateful Night That Started It All
On October 7, 2019, Christine Melton met Wade Wilson at Buddha Bar in Fort Myers. What began as a seemingly innocent encounter would set in motion a series of events that would forever change the lives of multiple families.
Stephanie Johnson, Christine’s best friend, testified about that night:
“Towards the end of the night, as we were walking up to the upstairs bar, somebody jumped out in front of me kind of just like to get my attention and said ‘hey, who’s your friend’ and gestured towards Christine. He seemed friendly and introduced himself as JR.”
Little did Johnson know that this friendly introduction would be the last time she’d see her friend alive.
The Brutal Murder of Christine Melton
The following morning, Christine Melton was found dead in her home. The medical examiner’s testimony painted a gruesome picture of her final moments:
“She had a large number of bruises on her body, on her face, a swollen eye, contusions around the eye, contusions around the mouth. She had bruising all over her torso, all over her arms.”
The cause of death was determined to be strangulation, with evidence of severe blunt force trauma throughout her body.
Wade Wilson’ Crime Spree Unfolds
Wilson’s rampage didn’t end with Melton. On the same day, he attacked his ex-girlfriend, Melissa Montanez, at her spa business. Miraculously, Montanez survived the assault.
But Wilson wasn’t done. He soon encountered Diane Ruiz, who was walking to work. In a chilling act of violence, Wilson strangled Ruiz and then, according to his own confession, ran over her body repeatedly with a car.
The Capture and Confession
As law enforcement closed in, Wilson reached out to his father, Steven Wilson. In a disturbing phone call, he confessed to the murders. Steven Wilson testified about his son’s demeanor during the call:
“He was excited… I felt like he was wanting me to feel the way he felt about it. He seemed proud of it.”
This confession would prove crucial in the prosecution’s case against Wade Wilson.
The Trial and Verdict
During the trial, the prosecution painted Wilson as a cold-blooded killer who murdered for the thrill of it. State Attorney Dan Feinberg argued:
“This case was about killing for the sake of killing. He told detectives ‘I’ve already done it once, I’ll do it again.'”
The defense, on the other hand, argued that Wilson’s actions were the result of severe drug use and underlying mental health issues. However, this argument failed to sway the jury.
On June 12, 2024, Wade Wilson was found guilty on all counts, including two charges of first-degree murder.
The Penalty Phase: Life or Death?
Following the guilty verdict, the trial moved to the penalty phase. The prosecution argued for the death penalty, citing the heinous nature of the crimes. They urged the jury to consider the brutality inflicted on the victims:
“We’re asking you to weigh his hands, his hands around her neck, not being able to breathe, taking that last breath, knowing it would be her last.”
The defense presented mitigating factors, including Wilson’s history of substance abuse and potential mental health issues. However, these arguments ultimately failed to persuade the jury.
The Jury’s Decision
In a powerful rebuke of Wilson’s actions, the jury recommended the death penalty for both murders. For Christine Melton’s murder, the vote was 9-3 in favor of death. For Diane Ruiz’s murder, the vote was even more decisive at 10-2.
The Impact on Families and Community
The trial brought to light the devastating impact of Wilson’s actions on the victims’ families and the community at large. Christine Melton’s cousin delivered a heartbreaking impact statement:
“Christine wel Melton was my best friend and my cousin until October 7th, 2019. It is my task to describe this beautiful human and to somehow capture Christine in a way that 12 strangers and two alternates can understand using only my words, and I will do so sitting no more than 20 feet from the convicted who beat Christine, murdered Christine, and threw her away like garbage.”
Diane Ruiz’s son also shared the profound loss he experienced:
“My mother only loved, only had love in her, only wanted the best for me, and nothing that happened to her was ever deserved, and she just wanted to live a normal life.”
Conclusion: Wade Wilson Trial: Life Or Death?
The case of Wade Wilson serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of violent crime on communities. While the jury’s recommendation for the death penalty may bring a sense of justice to the victims’ families, it can never fully heal the wounds inflicted by Wilson’s actions.
As of this writing, the final sentencing hearing for Wade Wilson is scheduled for July 23, 2024. At this hearing, the judge will make the ultimate decision on whether to follow the jury’s recommendation for the death penalty or to sentence Wilson to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The legacy of this case will undoubtedly be felt in Cape Coral and beyond for years to come, serving as a somber reminder of the importance of mental health awareness, substance abuse prevention, and community vigilance.
