Wade Wilson is currently sitting in a cell at Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida. If you’ve followed the news or seen the viral clips of his tattooed face and indifferent courtroom smirk, you know why people are asking about his end date.
He's the man the media dubbed the "Deadpool Killer," not because of any superhero heroics, but because he shares a name with a Marvel character and committed crimes that were nothing short of villainous. In August 2024, Judge Nicholas Thompson handed down two death sentences for the 2019 murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz.
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But here’s the thing. Florida doesn't just move people from the sentencing bench to the execution chamber overnight.
The Current Legal Reality of When Will Wade Wilson Die
Right now, the short answer to when will Wade Wilson die is: not for a long time.
We are currently in 2026, and the legal machinery is still grinding through the very first stage of his appeals. Specifically, Wade Wilson’s case is currently before the Florida Supreme Court. As of January 2026, oral arguments for his direct appeal are officially scheduled for February 5, 2026.
This is a mandatory review. In Florida, every single person sentenced to death gets an automatic appeal to the state's highest court. It’s a safeguard. His lawyers, led by Michael Robert Ufferman, are fighting the sentence based on some pretty technical constitutional arguments.
The Jury Unanimity Fight
One of the biggest reasons this could drag out—or even be overturned—is Florida’s 2023 death penalty law.
Under the old rules, a jury had to be unanimous to recommend death. Under the new law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, you only need 8 out of 12 jurors. In Wilson’s case, the jury wasn't unanimous. They voted 9-3 for death in Melton’s murder and 10-2 for Ruiz’s.
Wilson’s team argues that because the murders happened in 2019, applying the 2023 law is "Ex Post Facto"—basically, they're saying the state changed the rules of the game after the crime was committed. If the Florida Supreme Court agrees, his death sentence could be vacated, leading to a new sentencing phase.
The Timeline of a Florida Execution
If the Florida Supreme Court upholds his sentence after the February 2026 hearing, Wilson still has years of "Post-Conviction" relief ahead of him.
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- State Collateral Review: This usually starts after the direct appeal fails. It looks at things like whether his trial lawyers were "ineffective" or if there was new evidence.
- Federal Habeas Corpus: This moves the case to the federal courts. It’s an even longer process that goes through the U.S. District Court, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and finally, a long-shot petition to the U.S. Supreme Court.
- The Governor’s Warrant: Only after all these appeals are exhausted does the Governor sign an actual death warrant.
On average? In Florida, inmates spend about 15 to 20 years on death row before an execution is carried out.
Wade Wilson is 31 years old right now. If the state follows its historical average, he might not face an execution date until he is in his late 40s or early 50s.
Why Some Think He Might Avoid the Needle
Honestly, the "Deadpool Killer" has a strange following. You’ve probably seen the "Save Wade Wilson" petitions or the letters of support sent to the jail.
While public outcry rarely stops an execution, his mental health might. During his trial, neurologists testified about significant brain damage. They pointed to four concussions he suffered as a kid and his history of substance abuse. His father, Steven Testasecca, even testified against him, painting a picture of a deeply troubled man who confessed to the killings over the phone.
There's also the "Handsome Devil: Charming Killer" docuseries that just hit Paramount+ this month (January 2026). These kinds of media spotlights can sometimes shift public perception, though in Wilson's case, the brutality of strangling two women and running one over with a car makes clemency a very tough sell for any politician.
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What’s Next for Wade Wilson?
Don't expect a sudden update. The February 5th oral arguments will be the next major milestone. After that, we’ll likely wait several months for a written opinion from the Florida Supreme Court.
If the court affirms his sentence, he stays at Union Correctional. If they find the non-unanimous jury recommendation unconstitutional for a 2019 crime, he’ll be headed back to a Lee County courtroom for a new sentencing hearing.
The state of Florida has picked up the pace of executions recently, but they are still careful to follow the legal script to avoid federal intervention. Wade Wilson is a high-profile inmate, which means every move he makes is scrutinized.
To stay informed on this case, keep an eye on the Florida Supreme Court docket (Case SC2024-1345). This is where the real news happens, far away from the viral TikTok edits and social media rumors. You can check the "Briefs" and "Orders" sections there to see if his legal team manages to secure a stay or a new trial.
Watching the outcome of the February 2026 oral arguments is the most practical way to know if his timeline on death row is going to be measured in years or decades.