Update in murder case of Sonia Exelby hoping for 'violent death' after flying to US to meet man from 'fetish website'
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
A trial is due to be held later this year for a man accused of murdering British woman Sonia Exelby, whose body was discovered in a shallow grave in the US on 17 October last year.
The alarm had been raised a few days before that when she had failed to board a return flight, with her family raising concerns about her mental health, when her body was found an autopsy determined she had most likely been killed with a knife.
Investigators claim that 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.
Advert
Hall, 54, would be arrested on the same day Sonia's body was found and police said he 'claimed that he wanted to help Exelby and did not want her to die'.
In an update to the case Hall has been told his trial will begin with jury selection on 16 November this year, he has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and murdering Exelby.
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."
An autopsy found the woman had been stabbed four times, and while Hall initially denied that he met Sonia or knew her, according to an affidavit he later said they'd had sex several times.
Elsewhere in the affidavit some of the messages the two had sent each other on Discord indicated they had discussed bondage, suicide and a desire from Exelby to have someone kill her.
However, messages from Exelby to a friend sent after she arrived in the US indicated her fear at the situation as she said Hall wouldn't let her leave unless she shot him.
She is alleged to have messaged: "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. I can't kill anyone.
"I thought he'd do it quick and not give my mind time to stew and realize [sic] this is the last thing I'll ever day [sic] to anyone if I don't take his offer of shooting him. He showed me how to use it and where to aim.
Her last message read: "I'm so scared I'm so broken and in so much pain all I can do is lay here and doing what gee [sic] wants."
Timeline of events leading up to the death of Sonia Exelby
10 October
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 6:30 pm and driven to an Airbnb she'd reserved for her trip.
Prior to her arrival, 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, he 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 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 texting a friend '[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, with jury selection scheduled to begin on 16 April.
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.
Additional words by Brenna Cooper.
Joe Harker