Brit woman's disturbing conversation with ‘man from fetish website’ before death
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
A British woman who was stabbed four times and died in the US had a graphic conversation about how she wanted to be killed with the man accused of murdering her.
Sonia Exelby travelled to Marion County, Florida, on October 10 and was found dead in a shallow grave a week later.
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An autopsy determined she likely died from multiple stab wounds.
Dwain Hall, 52, was arrested on the same day the body was found - October 17 - and is now expected to face trial for murder later in 2026. He denies the charges.
Police say Ms Exelby, 32, was 'suicidal' and travelled to the USA to be 'possibly sexually abused, tortured and murdered by unknown individuals.'
She met Hall after making a post on a 'fetish website', on which he used the username 'alphasadist'.
Police have seen footage of a conversation between Exelby and Hall
In a 13-page indictment filed with the Florida Police Department, it was revealed Ms Exelby recorded a conversation she had with Hall in her last moments.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the footage was seen by police, who said Ms Exelby was sitting on a chair with bruising across her face, neck and breasts.
Hall claimed she had asked for rough sex.
Hall was reportedly then asked why she was in Florida and replied in tears, saying: "Because I am an awful person.
"I've crushed everyone who ever loves me."
After explaining why she was an awful person, Hall asked her 'how' she wanted to die and to 'desribe it.'
She refused to answer at first but then said she wanted 'to be stabbed.'
"This is how you wanted to die, right?" Hall then said.
Ms Exelby is then said to have shaken her head when asked if she was being forced to do anything against her will. She then nodded when asked if she was getting what she wanted and was 'happy.'
Hall denies murder. Jury selection for his trial is set to begin on November 16.
Family pay tribute to Sonia Exelby
Exelby had a return flight to Portsmouth booked for October 13 but didn't board it, leading to her family raising the alarm over concerns for her safety amid her mental health troubles.
She was reported missing before US authorities informed Hampshire Police that her body had been identified.
US detectives said in a police report she had: "Travelled to the United States with the intention of meeting with online individuals who would be willing to kill her violently."
Speaking for the first time since her death, Ms Exelby's family released a lengthy statement paying tribute to the 'beautiful' music tutor.
"She had the gentlest soul - so gentle that she chose to become vegan, because she couldn’t bear the thought of any animal suffering just so she could eat," they said.
"That was who she was: kind, compassionate, and full of quiet love. She was incredibly talented. Sonia could play the piano so effortlessly, and when she sang, she had the voice of an angel.
"Being around her felt special—she brought a calmness and warmth that made everything feel a little lighter. Sonia was one of those rare people who made you feel completely safe to be yourself.
"She never judged, never criticised - she simply accepted people as they were and loved them for it. That is something so many of us will carry with us forever."
The statement, released via Hampshire Police, continued:
“As the youngest of six, Sonia was deeply loved by all her siblings. She shared an especially close and special bond with her sister Sara, a connection that will never be broken.
"She was raised by her amazing parents in Porchester, surrounded by love every single day. She built a life filled with that same love, especially with her devoted partner of 15 years, Stevie.
"Sonia was a wonderful aunty bringing fun and love to her nieces and nephews, she also taught them music. Sonia had so many wonderful friends, who describe her as beautiful and caring.
"One wrote that they had 'never known a soul with a bigger or purer heart, and nobody made me feel seen quite like she did'. Sonia’s siblings describe her as the 'softest most gentle soul'. She was softly spoken and always gave the best most intense hugs. She was the baby out of us that kept us bound together.
"We will never get over losing her which has left an emptiness in our lives that can never be filled. The world has lost so much kindness and light, and her absence will be felt by so many people for so many years to come.
“We know that life wasn’t always easy for you, but your life was so much more than the struggles you faced. This is so important to us that the life you lived is what you are remembered for. You were deeply loved, and you will always be deeply loved. We miss you more than words can ever say. We love you so much, always, and forever."
Hall was denied bail during a court appearance in November and was told by the judge: "Under these circumstances, there is no bond that would assure your presence in court, keep the community safe.
"And the facts of this case - there is a large amount of evidence against you."
Timeline of events leading up to the death of Sonia Exelby
10 October 2025
According to Fox Orlando, citing law enforcement officials, Sonia landed at Gainesville Regional Airport on the evening of 10 October and was collected by Hall at 6.30pm and driven to an Airbnb she'd reserved for her trip.
Prior to her arrival, investigators say Hall purchased paracord (a type of nylon rope), gun cleaner, rope, Lume Spray and a shovel at his local Walmart.
11 October
In the early afternoon, Hall charges Sonia’s bank card $1,200 (£918) from his business.
At 3.30pm, a vehicle which matches the description of Hall's emergency roadside business is spotted outside the Airbnb. It is around this time that Hall allegedly records a video of Sonia showing her with cuts and bruises across her body and asks her to consent to being stabbed.
She later contacts a friend and sends messages over Discord such as: "I’m so, so scared. I’m so broken and in so much pain," and: "I thought he’d do it quick and not give my mind time to stew."
12 October
Hall purchases a piece of tarp. Surveillance footage later shows someone moving in front of his car.
He then drives to the location where Sonia's body was later found.
13 October
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) receives an alert from British authorities regarding a missing and vulnerable person.
Hall is later interviewed by law enforcement before messaging a friend, writing '[there] might be a big storm coming for me'.
14 October
Hall is interviewed once again regarding the charges made to Sonia's card. He also sends a package to a friend in Ohio, which includes a knife containing Sonia's blood and a bracelet containing both of their DNA.
17 October
Hall is arrested on charges of fraud and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. These are later dropped.
Sonia's body is discovered by law enforcement, buried in a shallow grave.
18 October
An autopsy determined that she likely died from injuries caused by a knife.
27 October
Hall contacts his wife and asks her to look out for a package from a friend.
31 October
Facebook messages between Hall and his contact in Ohio are read by authorities, who later search his home, where the alleged murder weapon is recovered.
17 November
Dwain Hall is arrested and charged with the kidnapping and killing of Sonia Exelby. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
18 November
Hall is denied bail and will remain in jail until his trial.
22 April 2026
Hall appears in court to be told he will be tried on charges of kidnapping and murdering Sonia Exelby.
16 November 2026
Jury selection expected to begin for Hall's trial.
If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.
Daniel Murphy