CCPD: Body identified, person of interest remains in custody
The Cape Coral Police Department has positively identified the body found Thursday in the Northwest section of the Cape as Diane Ruiz.
The cause of death has not yet been determined by the Lee County Medical Examiner’s Office.
CCPD has also released the person of interest in the Ruiz case, as well as death investigation of Kristine Ann Melton, 35, who was found dead at her home on Oct. 7, the same day Ruiz went missing.
Wade Steven Wilson, 25, of 11751 Oak Run Lane in Fort Myers, is currently in custody at the Lee County jail on unrelated charges, and is the person of interest in the investigations, according to CCPD.
Wilson has a long rap sheet throughout Florida, and was taken into custody on Oct. 8 on charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, battery, petty theft, property damage and had a warrant out of Palm Beach County.
Wilson was also arrested in Lee County in early July for battery.
“At this phase of the investigations, detectives are awaiting results from laboratory testing from the FDLE crime lab, awaiting conclusions from the Lee County Medical Examiner’s Office and working closely with our partners at the State Attorney’s Office to bring additional criminal charges against Wade Wilson,” read a release from CCPD Friday afternoon.
CCPD is still looking for information and tips from residents regarding the investigations.
If you have any information please contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 239-574-3223. You can also submit an anonymous tip. Go to www.capecops.com/tips or text a tip to CCPD — “your message” to CRIMES (274637). Finally, you can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.
Updates will be provided as the story unfolds.
– Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj