S2E1: Dating the Deadpool Killer

Dating the Deadpool Killer: The Wade Wilson Story

The Season 2 premiere of Worst Ex Ever on Netflix tackles one of the most high-profile true crime cases in recent Florida history. Wade Wilson — dubbed the "Deadpool Killer" by media for sharing a name with the Marvel character — was sentenced to death in June 2024 for the October 2019 murders of Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz in Cape Coral, Florida. This episode centers survivor Kelly Matthews, who dated Wilson in 2018 and witnessed the warning signs firsthand.

Episode Synopsis

"Dating the Deadpool Killer" opens with Kelly Matthews recounting how she met Wade Wilson and was initially drawn to his charisma. The episode traces their 2018 relationship, during which Matthews observed increasingly erratic and violent behavior — mood swings, substance abuse, and controlling tendencies that escalated over time. Matthews eventually ended the relationship, but Wilson's trajectory continued to darken. In October 2019, Wilson murdered Kristine Melton, 35, and Diane Ruiz, 43, in separate attacks in Cape Coral over a single day. The episode follows the Lee County investigation, Wilson's arrest, his 2024 trial, and the jury's recommendation of the death penalty — which Judge Nicholas Thompson upheld.

Key Facts

This true crime episode runs 78 minutes — the longest in the entire docuseries across both seasons — reflecting the complexity of the case and the extensive trial record. Directed by Cynthia Childs, it premiered on Netflix on May 6, 2026. The case gained viral attention in 2024 when Wilson's trial attracted social media followers who romanticized his appearance, a disturbing phenomenon the episode addresses directly.

Why This Case Matters

The Wade Wilson case sits at the intersection of intimate-partner violence and serial murder. The episode argues that Wilson's pattern of abusing romantic partners was a precursor to the homicides — a trajectory that domestic violence researchers have long documented. The case also raises questions about the death penalty in Florida, the role of social media in true crime fandom, and how warning signs reported by partners like Kelly Matthews went unheeded by the system.

Documentary Techniques

Director Cynthia Childs gives this episode a longer runtime to accommodate the density of the case. Kelly Matthews's survivor interview forms the emotional core, while courtroom footage from the 2024 Lee County trial provides dramatic testimony and verdict moments. Law enforcement bodycam footage from Wilson's arrest is included, along with 2D animated reenactments that visualize the relationship dynamics Matthews describes. The episode also incorporates news footage and social media clips to contextualize the public fascination with the case.

Production and Reception

"Dating the Deadpool Killer" was produced by Blumhouse Television and ITV America under director Cynthia Childs, who returned to helm all four episodes of Worst Ex Ever Season 2. The production team secured Kelly Matthews's participation for the survivor interview and obtained extensive courtroom footage from the 2024 Lee County trial. Bodycam footage from Wilson's arrest and animated reenactments depicting the relationship dynamics rounded out the visual storytelling. The episode's extended 78-minute runtime — the longest in the entire Worst Ex Ever series — reflected the production team's decision to address the disturbing social media phenomenon of fans romanticizing Wilson's appearance during trial. Upon its May 2026 premiere, the episode generated immediate discussion about true crime fandom ethics and the death penalty in Florida. Critics praised the Worst Ex Ever Season 2 premiere for confronting viewer complicity in the spectacle of violent crime, while survivors' advocates highlighted the episode's centering of Kelly Matthews's perspective over the perpetrator's notoriety.

Where to Watch

"Dating the Deadpool Killer" is available to stream exclusively on Netflix as Episode 1 of Worst Ex Ever Season 2. The episode is rated TV-MA for graphic discussions of murder, domestic violence, and the death penalty.

Viewer Guide and Context

Before watching "Dating the Deadpool Killer," viewers should be aware that this Worst Ex Ever episode discusses two brutal murders in graphic detail, including the methods used and the suffering of the victims. The episode also addresses the disturbing phenomenon of social media users romanticizing the perpetrator during his trial. Viewers who are sensitive to discussions of extreme violence, the death penalty, or the glorification of killers should approach this Worst Ex Ever episode with caution. Netflix provides content warnings at the start.

This episode connects to the broader Worst Ex Ever series by opening Season 2 with the docuseries' most high-profile case, demonstrating how intimate-partner violence can escalate to serial murder. The Cape Coral, Florida case establishes Season 2's thematic focus on the continuum between domestic abuse and homicide — a thread that runs through all four episodes of Worst Ex Ever Season 2 on Netflix. The episode also confronts the ethics of true crime fandom directly, making it a self-aware entry in the Worst Ex Ever docuseries that challenges viewers to examine their own relationship with violent crime media on Netflix and other platforms.

Featured people

• Wade Steven Wilson — Perpetrator
• Kelly Matthews — Survivor

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