Family of 'murdered' Brit Sonia Exelby who travelled to US to 'meet man from fetish website' speak out for first time
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
The family of a British woman who is thought to have been murdered in the US in 2025 have said she was a 'truly beautiful person' who was 'full of quiet love.'
Sonia Exelby's parents have spoken for the first time after her body was discovered in a shallow grave in Marion County, Florida, on 17 October.
An autopsy determined she had been stabbed four times.
Advert
Her family had grown concerned when she failed to board a return flight home to Portsmouth, Hampshire, with worries surrounding her mental health.
Exelby, 32, had met Florida man Dwain Hall after she made a post on a 'fetish website' saying she was looking for someone to abuse and kill her, investigators claim.
Hall, 53, was arrested on the same day Exelby's body was found and will stand trial later this year, with jury selection starting on 16 November. Hall denies murder.
Exelby family pay tribute to Sonia
Paying tribute to the music tutor, Exelby's family said in a statement issued via Hampshire Police, who is in charge of the UK side of the investigation: “Sonia was a truly beautiful person, inside and out.
"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.
"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.
The statement continued: "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."
Hampshire Police say Exelby went missing on 12 October and then they discovered she had left the country before receiving a report that her body had been found in the USA.
The service is still liaising with US authorities as they continue their investigation ahead of the trial.
'We will never get over losing her'
The family's statement continued, first recounting memories of Exelby as a child.
“As the youngest of six, Sonia was deeply loved by all her siblings," they said.
"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."
The statement then spoke of the family's devastation since her death and touched on the problems she dealt with later in life.
It continued: "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 had been denied bail during an appearance in court last November, being 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."
Hall denies the charges.
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