Unmasking The Past: What Did Wade Wilson Look Like Before The Tattoos?
The name Wade Wilson has become synonymous with chilling notoriety, particularly after he was dubbed the 'Deadpool Killer' following his conviction for the 2019 homicide case of two Cape Coral women, Kristine Melton and Diane Ruiz. Recently sentenced to death, Wilson's public appearances in court have been dominated by a shocking and extensive display of tattoos, particularly covering his face and neck. These engravings have transformed his looks so dramatically that it's hard to imagine him without them. Yet, before this deliberate and unsettling transformation, there was a different Wade Wilson – a man whose appearance, while still described as striking, was unmarred by the sinister ink that now defines his public image.
This article delves into the visual history of Wade Wilson, exploring what he looked like before the tattoos became his infamous calling card. We'll uncover glimpses of his past appearance, contrast it with his current heavily inked visage, and understand the timeline of this profound personal alteration.
The Notorious Transformation: From Clean-Faced to Covered in Ink
Wade Wilson's journey from an accused double murderer to a convicted killer has been paralleled by a significant and disturbing physical transformation. His appearances in court, especially in 2024, have drawn considerable attention not just for the gravity of his crimes, but for the fresh set of face tattoos he sported, continuing his pattern of altering his appearance through body ink.
The Shocking Courtroom Appearances
As convicted double murderer Wade Wilson appeared in court to be sentenced to death, he showed off his vast array of white supremacist tattoos. These included a swastika under his eye, among other symbols covering a majority of his face, neck, and head. It's crucial to note that many of these sinister and creepy tattoos were inked on since he was arrested five years ago. This dramatic tattoo transformation was evident in the courtroom, where he showed little emotion while learning his fate for the murders of two Florida women. Despite winning permission to cover some tattoos with makeup while in court, his distinctive markings, including the swastika, were still visible, reinforcing his intimidating appearance.
The 'Deadpool Killer' Moniker
The nickname 'Deadpool Killer' has attached itself to Wade Wilson, likely due to the ironic coincidence of his name with the popular comic book character. While the fictional Deadpool is known for his witty banter and a costume that hides his scarred appearance, the real Wade Wilson has become even more notorious for his intimidating appearance thanks to the racist tattoos covering a majority of his face, neck, and head. It's a stark and disturbing contrast between a comic book anti-hero and a convicted murderer whose chosen appearance now reflects his heinous acts and affiliations.
Glimpses of the Past: Wade Wilson Without Tattoos
For those who have only seen the heavily tattooed Wade Wilson, it might be surprising to learn that his appearance was once dramatically different. Photos of Wilson without tattoos have emerged, showcasing a man who looks completely unrecognisable from his current image.
Rare Photos Surface
Images of Wade Wilson without tattoos have surfaced on platforms like TikTok, featuring what appear to be mugshots from previous arrests and even photos from his time in grade school. These rare glimpses offer a stark contrast to the heavily inked individual seen in recent court proceedings. They represent an era earlier than the dramatic and everlasting transformation brought on by his extensive body art.
A Different Kind of Striking Figure
Before his tattoos, Wilson was still described as a striking figure. He possessed "chiseled features, an intense gaze, and a rugged appearance." His physical attributes, combined with what was noted as his "quick wit and dark" (implying a potentially unsettling personality even then), contributed to his presence. However, the absence of the overwhelming facial and neck tattoos meant his features were clear and distinct. While his current appearance is undeniably unsettling due to the nature and placement of his tattoos, it's been noted that "Wade Wilson before he got his face tattoos is still pretty upsetting," suggesting that his disturbing nature was not solely a product of his ink.
The Timeline of Change: A Deliberate Alteration
The transformation of Wade Wilson's appearance through tattoos is not merely a random act but a deliberate and ongoing process, largely occurring during his incarceration.
Post-Arrest Transformation
'Deadpool Killer' Wade Wilson's appearance has changed drastically since he was taken into custody in 2019. At the time of his arrest, he was without any tattoos on his face. Double murderer Wade Wilson appeared with a face full of sinister and creepy tattoos, all of which he's had inked on since he was arrested five years ago. This significant transformation over the years, using tattoos to alter his appearance, highlights a conscious decision to reshape his identity while in jail. The changing face of tattooed double murderer Wade Wilson in jail, a US man who brutally murdered two women within hours of each other, underwent a terrifying facial transformation that has become a chilling part of his public persona.
The Unforgiven Connection
Wade Wilson, the Florida man facing the death penalty in the murders of two women, has been tied to "The Unforgiven," a white supremacy prison gang. His tattoos, including the prominent swastika, serve not just as personal markings but as clear declarations of allegiance to this group. This connection provides a deeper context for the nature and placement of his tattoos, suggesting they are more than just aesthetic choices but symbols of his beliefs and affiliations forged during his time in custody.
Local Fort Myers news station WINK News has been following Wilson's story since the beginning, documenting his journey from the initial arrests to his sentencing, including the visual changes he has undergone. Family members of the victims, Diane Ruiz and Kristine Melton, expressed relief and closure five years after the deaths, as Wilson was finally sentenced to death, regardless of his changed appearance.
Conclusion
Wade Wilson's physical transformation, marked by the dramatic acquisition of extensive and often racist tattoos since his 2019 arrest, has made him an even more notorious figure. From a man with chiseled features and an intense gaze, as seen in earlier photos and mugshots, he has deliberately altered his appearance to one dominated by a vast array of unsettling body art. This shift is not merely cosmetic; it reflects a period of profound change and apparent deepening of his ties to white supremacist ideologies while incarcerated.
While his current heavily tattooed appearance is what most people recognize, understanding what Wade Wilson looked like before these tattoos provides a stark reminder of his past. It underscores that his disturbing nature and the gravity of his crimes predate this visual metamorphosis. The tattoos, while striking and indicative of his current affiliations, are a recent development, making his earlier, un-inked appearance a chilling glimpse into the man he was before fully embracing this extreme visual identity. Ultimately, the change in appearance, while visually striking, doesn't overshadow the heinousness of his actions that led to his death sentence.
Dwyane Wade | Biography, Statistics, & Facts | Britannica
Dwyane Wade | Biography, Statistics, & Facts | Britannica
Dwyane Wade
