Briton's US Trip Ends in Tragedy
A 53-year-old American man stands accused of the brutal murder of a British woman who travelled to Florida, allegedly with the intention of meeting someone from a fetish website who would harm her.
Dwain Hall has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping after the body of Sonia Exelby, 32, from Portsmouth, was discovered in a shallow grave in woodland in Marion County, Florida.
Chilling Details Emerge from Arrest Documents
According to authorities, Exelby arrived in Florida on October 10. She reportedly met with Hall, whom she had connected with online. The pair are said to have driven to an Airbnb property in Reddick, approximately 100 miles northwest of Orlando.
Arrest documents seen by reporters indicate that Hall recorded a video in which he pressed Exelby to consent to being harmed. Furthermore, evidence on Exelby's own computer suggested she was suicidal and travelling to the United States to be abused, tortured, and possibly murdered.
Her remains were found on October 17. An autopsy later confirmed she had been stabbed four times with a knife. In a significant breakthrough, a knife bearing Exelby's DNA was found in a package that had been sent to a friend of Hall's in Ohio.
Suspect's Alleged Confession and Motive
Hall voluntarily appeared at the Marion County Sheriff's Office on the same day Exelby's body was found. This was after he had allegedly tried to use Sonia's credit card to withdraw $1,200 (approximately £905).
Documents claim that Hall initially denied ever meeting the British woman. However, he later changed his story, admitting to messaging her and discussing her supposed desire to have someone kill her.
In a particularly disturbing revelation, the documents allege that Hall told investigators if he were to help Exelby, he would have taken her to Alligator Alley where wildlife would have taken care of her. He reportedly motioned with his hands to indicate he would have used violence on her beforehand. When directly questioned about killing Exelby, Hall stated he could not answer.
Hall has been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, fraudulent use of credit cards, and unlawful use of two communication devices. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is next due in court on December 23.
A loved one of Sonia described her on social media as a vulnerable person, confirming the family believed she had flown to Tallahassee, Florida from the UK.
