Sonia Exelby, a 32-year-old British woman, traveled to Marion County, Florida, with the stated intention of experiencing a "violent death," according to U.S. authorities. She was found dead on October 17 of last year. Dwain Hall, 52, a man Exelby met in an online fetish chatroom, has been arrested and is expected to face trial later this year in connection with her death.
Hampshire Constabulary in the UK is continuing to collaborate with U.S. authorities on the case. Family members of Exelby have described her as the "gentlest soul" and a "a truly beautiful person, inside and out." They noted her kindness, compassion, and talent, citing her ability to play the piano effortlessly and her angelic singing voice. They emphasized that she possessed a calming presence and made others feel safe.
Relatives stated that Exelby, the youngest of six siblings, was deeply loved and shared a particularly close bond with her sister Sara. She was also said to have built a life filled with love with her partner of 15 years, Stevie. Friends described her as beautiful, caring, and having a "bigger and purer heart."
Police revealed that Exelby had recorded footage in which she detailed to Hall how she wished to die. In the video, she appeared disheveled and bore bruises on her face, neck, and breasts, which police state were the result of torture by Hall. Hall, who used the online alias "alphasadist," claimed Exelby had also requested rough sex. During the recording, Exelby, in tears, explained her presence in the U.S. by stating, "Because I am an awful person." She elaborated on her perceived flaws before Hall asked her to describe how she wanted to die, to which she initially responded that she wanted "to be stabbed."
When asked if she was being forced to do anything against her will, Exelby shook her head. Hall then asked if she was "happy" and getting what she wanted, to which she nodded. These details are part of a 13-page indictment filed with the Florida Police Department.
Exelby, who had documented mental health issues, flew to Florida on October 10 and had a return flight booked for October 13. Her family, including her boyfriend Steve Hunt in the UK, reported her missing when she did not board her return flight. Hunt had posted on social media expressing concern, stating they believed she had arranged to meet someone and had become "extremely vulnerable."
Detectives in the U.S. stated that Exelby had "travelled to the United States with the intention of meeting with online individuals who would be willing to kill her violently." Evidence from her computer indicated she was "suicidal and travelling to the U.S. to be possibly sexually abused, tortured and murdered by unknown individuals."
She had communicated with friends in the UK via Discord, sending a "long and disjointed" series of texts. In these messages, she expressed fear and stated, "I'm sorry, he keeps taking my phone. He doesn't trust me with it." She also wrote about a situation where she felt pressured to shoot someone, saying, "He showed me how to use it and where to aim it. I'm so scared I'm so broken and in so much pain."
Police eventually located Exelby's body in a woodland area. She was identified via fingerprints. A shovel found at Hall's residence contained soil matching the burial site. Blood was also found on the shovel, confirmed to be a match for Exelby. An autopsy revealed she had been stabbed four times.
Hall, who is married, reportedly claimed Exelby initiated the interaction and that he had not wanted to engage in sexual activity due to his marital status.