Death Row Inmates: Wade Wilson Among Eight Linked to SWFL
A new docuseries titled “Handsome Devil: Charming Killer” is shedding light on Wade Wilson, a convicted killer linked to multiple crimes in Southwest Florida. This three-part series began streaming on Paramount+ on January 20, 2024. The series explores Wilson’s chilling case along with the social media fervor surrounding his story.
Wade Wilson and Death Row Inmates in Southwest Florida
Wade Wilson is one of eight death row inmates connected to crimes in Southwest Florida. Seven of these inmates are incarcerated in Lee County, while one hails from Collier County. Wilson was convicted in 2024 for the murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz, committed in 2019 in Cape Coral.
Long Waits on Death Row
The average time on death row varies significantly among inmates. It has been reported that the national average spans over 18 years. In Florida, the waiting period includes some inmates who have been on death row for decades:
- Harold Lucas: Imprisoned since 1977, awaiting execution for 48 years.
- Anton Krawczuk: On death row for 32 years, convicted of murder in 1990.
- Joshua Nelson: Awaiting execution for 29 years after killing a Cape Coral teen in 1996.
- Kevin Foster: Serving a death sentence for the 1996 murder of a band teacher, on death row since 1998.
Recently, three inmates joined the death row ranks within the past five years:
- Mark Sievers: Convicted in 2020 for his wife’s murder in 2015.
- Joseph Zieler: Received a death sentence in 2023 for the murders of 11-year-old Robin Cornell and her babysitter in 1990.
- Wade Wilson: Convicted in 2024 for the murders in Cape Coral.
Collier County’s Sole Death Row Inmate
In Collier County, the only inmate on death row is Mesac Demas. He was sentenced to death in 2017 for the brutal murders of his family in 2009. Tragically, Brandy Bain Jennings, another Collier County inmate, passed away from cancer after 29 years on death row in May 2025.
Execution Process and Appeals
The execution process in Florida can be lengthy and complex. After a death sentence, defendants often file appeals, starting with the Florida Supreme Court. If the conviction and sentence are upheld, defendants frequently seek a review from the United States Supreme Court.
Most inmates continue pursuing legal avenues even after losing initial appeals. The time from sentencing to execution averages around 13 to 14 years in Florida. Nationally, this average was estimated at 227 months in 2020.
As the legal process unfolds for Wade Wilson, many await the resolution of his appeals. If he exhausts all legal options and is denied clemency, he could face execution once a death warrant is issued by the governor.
