The story of Kelly Matthews has drawn renewed attention after her appearance in Worst Ex Ever. Matthews says she survived a terrifying relationship with convicted killer Wade Steven Wilson months before he murdered two women in Florida.
Her account has now become one of the most disturbing episodes of the Netflix true crime series, highlighting warning signs, alleged abuse, and a justice system failure that may have had deadly consequences.
Kelly Matthews Shares Her Story in Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever
Kelly Matthews appears in Season 2, Episode 1 of Netflix’s Worst Ex Ever, where she details her abusive relationship with Wade Steven Wilson.
Matthews says she met Wilson in 2018 through a dating app while living in West Palm Beach.
At the time, Wilson reportedly introduced himself using his middle name, Steven.
The relationship moved quickly, and within weeks, Wilson had moved into Matthews’ apartment.
Matthews says she believed she had found the person she would marry.
Relationship Quickly Turned Toxic
According to Matthews, troubling behavior started appearing early in the relationship.
She claims Wilson:
- Pawned her laptop without permission
- Lied about his identity
- Secretly dated other women
- Became involved in theft and fraud
Matthews says she later discovered Wilson’s real first name after filing a police report.
She also alleges he tried to frame her for crimes involving stolen puppies from a breeder.
Matthews Says Abuse Turned Violent
In February 2019, Matthews says the relationship became physically violent.
According to her account, Wilson allegedly:
- Strangled her
- Punched her
- Sexually assaulted her
- Tied her up using her own clothing
- Threatened to stab and kill her
Matthews says she eventually escaped and reported the incident to law enforcement.
She later gave investigators a detailed statement about the alleged assault.
Police Investigation Later Came Under Scrutiny
According to Matthews, investigators initially declined to move forward with criminal charges.
She later filed a formal complaint against the local sheriff’s office, arguing that her case had not been properly investigated.
An internal review reportedly found that the investigation had not been completed correctly.
A detective involved in the case was later disciplined.
Matthews believes stronger action at the time could have prevented future violence.
Months Later Wade Wilson Murdered Two Women
Just months after Matthews says she reported the alleged assault, Wilson resurfaced elsewhere in Florida.
On October 7, 2019, prosecutors say Wilson murdered:
- Kristine Melton, 35
- Diane Ruiz, 43
Both murders happened on the same day.
Wilson was later arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced to death.
Matthews says she was not shocked when she learned about the murders, believing he had shown signs of extreme violence long before.
Kelly Matthews Turned Pain Into Advocacy
Following Wilson’s arrest, Matthews began sharing her experience publicly in hopes of warning other women.
She used social media to tell her story and educate others about abusive relationships, manipulation, and warning signs.
Her courage has now reached an even larger audience through Netflix.
Where Is Kelly Matthews Now?
Today, Kelly Matthews continues to rebuild her life in Florida.
According to publicly available information, she now works with animals at the Avian Research Institute & Conservation Center.
Known for her love of animals, Matthews has reportedly worked with:
- Tigers
- Venomous snakes
- Alligators
- Dogs and other rescue animals
She says Wade Wilson may have damaged her trust in relationships, but he did not destroy her future.
Kelly Matthews’ story is more than a true crime documentary—it is a powerful reminder of how warning signs in abusive relationships should never be ignored. Her decision to speak publicly about her trauma has helped bring attention to failures in domestic violence investigations and may encourage other survivors to come forward.
While the pain of her past remains part of her story, Matthews continues to move forward, proving that survival can become strength, purpose, and a voice for others.
