If you’re into true crime or fascinated by the psychology behind why some individuals commit extreme crimes, chances are you’ve heard of Wade Wilson.
Or you might recognize him by his nickname, the “Deadpool Killer,” a label that comes from his shared name with the popular Marvel character Deadpool.
The 30-year-old from Fort Myers, Florida, now has a distinctive appearance that has drawn attention from people around the world.
Wilson was found guilty in June 2024 of the first-degree murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz. Two months later, he was sentenced to death for both killings.
The crimes began after Wilson met Melton during a night out at a bar in Cape Coral on October 6, 2019. They later went to her home with one of Melton’s friends. After the friend left, Wilson strangled the 35-year-old woman to death and stole her car.
Police said Wilson later came across Ruiz. Investigators reported that he claimed she approached him for directions before getting into his vehicle.
“That’s all it took,” Wilson told police, according to UNILAD.
He later admitted to strangling Ruiz inside the car.
“I could tell she wanted to get out, so I was like, I’m just going to kill her real quick. Grabbed her by the neck and choked her,” he said.
On June 25, 2024, jurors voted for the death penalty in both murders, with 10 of 12 recommending execution for Ruiz’s killing and nine of 12 for Melton’s.
Despite his crimes, reports say Wilson has received attention from hundreds of women attempting to contact him while in prison.
There has also been online discussion about his unusual appearance, particularly the extensive tattoos now covering his face. When he was first arrested in 2019, the tattoos did not extend past his chin.
Today, most of his face is inked, and the reported meaning behind some of the tattoos is disturbing.
His initial mugshot showed him with ink up to his jawline, including the phrase “bred for war” under his chin. Later that year, he appeared in court with a swastika tattooed on the right side of his face.
Five years later, his appearance has become even more striking and unsettling. He now has the words “HA HA HA” tattooed under his left eye, along with “why so serious,” a line associated with the Joker character from The Dark Knight.
In addition, he has ink around his mouth designed to make it look as though it is stitched shut, while observers have also pointed out a “NMM” tattoo on his jaw, which some believe references the Marvel character Deadpool, who has similar imagery in the comics.
