Wade Wilson confessed to unspeakable acts – the brutal murders of two women. Yet, instead of universal condemnation, a disturbing phenomenon took root: adoration. He became known as the “Deadpool Killer,” and hundreds of women pledged their loyalty, captivated by a darkness that defied comprehension.
“I’ve covered countless criminals, but this case is truly remarkable,” says Brian Ross, co-director of a documentary exploring the case. “Women wanted to marry him, bear his children – even after learning the horrific details of his crimes.” The sheer scale of this devotion demanded investigation, a descent into a world where evil inexplicably attracted affection.
The story centers on a 31-year-old man sharing a name with a fictional Marvel character. Interviews with former girlfriends, his father, and investigators reveal a chilling portrait of a man who exploited a disturbing fascination. On October 7, 2019, Wilson strangled Kristine Melton while she slept, just hours after meeting her. Later that same day, he brutally attacked and ran over Diane Ruiz.
Both women were deeply loved, leaving behind families and friends devastated by their senseless deaths. Kristine had recently moved to Florida to be closer to family, while Diane was cherished by her children and colleagues. Their disappearances sparked frantic searches, fueled by desperate hope. But Wilson’s confession, delivered in a series of chilling phone calls to his father, shattered those hopes.
Wilson’s mugshot ignited a firestorm online. Women openly romanticized his appearance, fueling a viral obsession. This fixation intensified with each court appearance, where he donned colorful suits and slicked-back hair, transforming the proceedings into a macabre spectacle.
His face, heavily tattooed with swastikas and a grotesquely stitched smile, became a focal point of the disturbing fascination. A dedicated fan base emerged on TikTok, dubbing themselves “Wade’s Wives.” They flooded his jail cell with calls, showering him with praise and unsettling declarations of love. One woman even demanded “marathon sex,” another pleaded to be impregnated.
“He made them laugh,” Ross explains. “He told them he loved them.” Criminologists suggest that some women, particularly those with histories of abuse, were drawn to Wilson’s darkness, finding a perverse safety in knowing he was incarcerated and unable to inflict harm. It was a twisted form of control, a dangerous dance with a known predator.
The devotion didn’t stop at words. A fundraising site generated over $100,000 for Wilson, ostensibly for legal fees. But he squandered the money on pizza and chocolate, a callous disregard for the intentions of his supporters. Hundreds of love letters and explicit photos arrived at the jail, testaments to the unsettling depth of the obsession.
One woman even used her own money to purchase stylish clothing for his court appearances, attempting to conceal his disturbing tattoos with makeup. Despite her efforts, Wilson appeared barefaced, his markings on full display. Yet, the devotion remained unwavering, with some women still dreaming of a future with him.
Prosecutors were horrified by the outpouring of support. Wilson offered shifting explanations for his crimes, including a chilling admission that he simply *wanted* to commit them. His girlfriend acknowledged his violent tendencies when under the influence of drugs, but beneath the surface lay a cold-blooded killer with a captivating charm – a dangerous combination that proved tragically effective.
Those who knew Wilson described a man of shifting moods, capable of sudden and terrifying hostility, even towards those who professed their love. “They fell in love with his eyes,” Ross recounts, “but those eyes could turn dark.” His girlfriend chillingly referred to them as “serial killer eyes.” He displayed little remorse, even during interviews, declaring himself “the devil” and fixating on thoughts of “kill, kill, murder.”
In June 2024, Wilson was convicted of both murders and sentenced to death in August. Even after the verdict, the messages continued to pour in – 3,903 in a single month, along with 65 letters and 754 photos, 163 of which were deemed “inappropriate.” The state attorney condemned the support, calling Wilson “evil and monstrous.”
Today, the online image of a “chiseled” Wilson has faded. Recent prison photos reveal a bloated, disheveled man with missing teeth. He remains on death row in isolation, appealing his sentence, destined to leave in a coffin. The scars of his crimes, and the disturbing fascination he inspired, will linger for years to come.
