A woman from the UK was discovered buried in a shallow grave in Florida after expressing her desire for a violent death to a man she had met on a fetish website. Sonia Exelby, 32, traveled from Portsmouth to the US with the intention of finding individuals willing to kill her violently, as confirmed by a police affidavit in Florida.
Following her failure to board her return flight on October 13, Exelby’s remains were found in woodland in Marion Oaks, Florida. An autopsy revealed that she had succumbed to four stab wounds. Dwain Hall, 53, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and kidnapping charges, which he denies. If convicted, he may face the death penalty in the US justice system.
Authorities allege that Sonia and Hall started communicating after connecting on a fetish website. The arrest file indicates that Sonia was suicidal and had traveled to the US with the possibility of being sexually abused, tortured, and murdered. Hall picked her up from Gainesville Regional Airport upon her arrival from the UK and then took her to an Airbnb in Reddick, Marion County, a reservation that Sonia had made using her credit card.
Prior to her arrival, Hall allegedly purchased gun cleaner, rope, and a shovel from a nearby supermarket. Concerns were raised by a friend from the UK who informed Sonia’s Instagram followers about her vulnerable situation. In a disturbing turn of events, messages sent by Sonia through the online platform Discord on October 11 indicated her desperation and fear of her circumstances.
Hall reportedly admitted during a police interview that he and Sonia had discussed bondage, suicide, and her wish to be killed. Following Sonia’s death, Hall was found attempting to use her credit cards. Investigations uncovered evidence linking Hall to the crime, including a blade with Sonia’s blood and a shovel with her DNA.
During his court appearance, Hall’s lawyer entered a not guilty plea, emphasizing the need for due process. The legal proceedings are ongoing, with the possibility of the death penalty being considered. Authorities have condemned the violent crime and emphasized accountability for such heinous acts. The Foreign Office is assisting the family and collaborating with Florida authorities in this tragic case.