The Tragic Journey of Sonia Exelby
A 32-year-old British woman from Portsmouth, Sonia Exelby, flew across the Atlantic with the intention of being murdered, only to apparently change her mind when it was tragically too late. Her body was discovered in a shallow grave in Marion County, Florida, just one week after she arrived in the United States on October 10, 2025.
The alarm was first raised when Sonia failed to board her return flight to the UK three days later. What initially appeared to be a straightforward murder case has since unfolded into a far more complex and harrowing story of mental health struggles, online fetish forums, and a fatal pact.
A Fatal Online Encounter
Investigators believe the chain of events began in 2023 when Sonia, who friends confirm had pre-existing mental health issues, started communicating with an American man on a fetish website. Their conversations reportedly progressed from topics of bondage and suicide to Sonia's explicit desire to be killed.
Police have identified that man as Dwaine Hall, 53, from Florida. According to arrest documents, Sonia left evidence on her computer indicating she was travelling to the United States specifically to be sexually abused, tortured and possibly murdered.
Before her departure, a concerned friend made a frantic public plea on Instagram, stating that Sonia had entered an extremely vulnerable situation and was really struggling with her mental health. The friend revealed they believed Sonia had flown to Tallahassee, Florida, to meet someone she had connected with online.
The Final Days: A Change of Heart
After collecting Sonia from Gainesville airport on October 10, Hall drove her to an Airbnb cabin in Reddick. Surveillance footage and bank records show that Hall visited a Walmart that same day, where he purchased gun cleaner, rope, Lume spray, and a shovel.
Most disturbingly, police obtained footage that appears to show Hall trying to secure Sonia's recorded consent. In this video, Sonia is visibly bruised while Hall questions why she is there and asks how she would like to die. She replies that she wants to be stabbed. Detectives noted that Sonia appeared hesitant and visibly upset in the recording.
Tragically, evidence suggests Sonia experienced serious doubts about the arrangement. Through messages on Discord sent on October 11, she told a friend: I'm sorry he keeps taking my phone, he doesn't trust me with it. He made it clear there was no way out unless I shoot him. I was questioning it last night.
In another heartbreaking message, she wrote: I'm so scared I'm so broken and in so much pain all I can do is lay here and doing what he wants. These communications strongly indicate that Sonia had reconsidered the deadly pact but found herself trapped in an isolated location with no means of escape.
The Investigation and Arrest
Sonia's body was discovered after Hall allegedly attempted to use her credit cards to withdraw $1,200 (£918). An autopsy determined she had been stabbed four times with a knife.
When questioned by police, Hall—who admitted to having violent tendencies—claimed Sonia had been suicidal and wanted to be killed. He described himself as a mentor who would help rather than kill her. Hall stated that if forced to help Sonia die, he would take her to Alligator Alley where wildlife would have taken care of her.
Hall changed his story multiple times during interviews, at one point claiming Sonia had promised to pay him $4,000 (£3,000) to help with IRS debt and that he became angry when she arrived without the cash. He allegedly made her record three disclaimer messages and write a letter to her family because he thought it was funny.
After Sonia's death, Hall sent a package to a friend in Ohio containing a seven-inch Tanto blade with Sonia's blood on it. A shovel found in his garage also contained traces of her DNA.
Hall has been charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder, both of which he denies. During his first court appearance on November 17, Judge Laurie Cotton declared that no bond would be set, citing the substantial evidence against him and concerns for community safety.
If you are affected by any of the issues in this article, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website.
