If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This article includes graphic content.
Alleged Murder of UK Woman in Florida
A man from Florida is facing serious charges after allegedly killing a young woman from the United Kingdom. She had traveled to the United States with the expectation of being ‘sexually abused, tortured, and murdered.’ Information about this case has come to light following court records.
Sonia Exelby, from Portsmouth, England, was reported missing by her family in October 2025 when she didn’t return home after her planned trip to the U.S.
Messages exchanged with a friend indicate that Exelby regretted her decision and wanted to cancel the arrangement made with Dwain Hall. However, it was too late. Days after her disappearance, investigators located her body in a shallow grave in Ocala, Florida.
Legal Proceedings
Dwain Hall, aged 54 from Ocala, Florida, is charged with first-degree, premeditated murder and kidnapping. His trial is set to commence on Nov. 5 in Marion County, Florida.
The Deadly Arrangement
In 2023, Hall and Exelby connected on a website for fetish enthusiasts. Their discussions included topics like bondage, suicide, and Exelby’s desire to be killed.
Hall, who identifies as a sadist, described mentoring Exelby. A Facebook account attributed to Hall showed an interest in Anubis, often known as the Egyptian god associated with the afterlife.
A year before her murder, Exelby offered financial help to Hall for his IRS debt. They allegedly agreed on a $4,000 payment in exchange for fulfilling her dark desires. Their plan included a story to pacify law enforcement and family members.
After exchanging messages over two years, Exelby decided to travel to North Florida to meet Hall. This wasn’t her first such attempt; a thwarted journey to meet violent online contacts occurred in 2024 in the UK.
Before flying to the U.S., Exelby left evidence on her computer indicating her suicidal intent and plan to be harmed by someone in the country.
The Fatal Journey
Exelby arrived at Gainesville Regional Airport on Oct. 10, 2025, with plans to fly back to the UK on Oct. 13. Upon arrival, Hall picked her up and took her to an Airbnb she had booked in Reddick, Florida.
Before meeting Exelby, Hall purchased various items from Walmart, including gun cleaner, a rope, deodorant spray, nylon cord, and later, a shovel.
Disturbing Messages and Deeds
On Oct. 11, after spending a night with Hall, Exelby sent disturbing messages to a friend on Discord. She described feeling scared, regretting her decision, and being trapped, with Hall controlling her phone.
Worrying about her situation, she mentioned recording disclaimer videos and writing a letter at Hall’s insistence, which he found amusing. She expressed fear and experiencing distress and pain.
Discovery and Arrest
After Exelby missed her flight on Oct. 13, she was officially reported missing. Charges to her debit card for Hall’s business services led investigators to him. Exelby’s body was discovered on Oct. 17 in a shallow grave, bearing stab wounds and with a shovel label nearby.
Authorities apprehended Hall on the same day, driving his vehicle near the incident area.
Investigation Findings
Before his apprehension, Hall allegedly sent a package to a friend containing personal items. The package included a bracelet and a knife later linked to the crime through DNA analysis.
Initially, Hall denied knowing Exelby but then admitted to filming her. Investigations revealed a video showing a distressed Exelby under Hall’s direction.
Chilling Video Evidence
Recovered video footage depicted Exelby in distress, showing bruising and visible emotional discomfort. Hall was heard questioning her, pressing for certain answers about her presence and desires.
Exelby reluctantly acknowledged wanting to be harmed, convinced she deserved punishment.
Legal Consequences
Hall now faces numerous felony charges and potential death penalty considerations. His legal defense did not respond to media inquiries.