A British music tutor, Sonia Exelby, traveled to Florida with the intent of being tortured and murdered, and is now the alleged victim of Dwain Chadwick Hall, who faces trial for her kidnapping and murder. Hall, a 53-year-old former pizza deliveryman, met Exelby, 32, on a fetish website and has denied the charges.
Evidence presented by Florida police indicates Exelby sought out individuals online willing to kill her violently and that she traveled to the United States with the expectation of sexual abuse, torture, and murder. Exelby, who had a history of mental health struggles, including body image issues and depression, had become increasingly withdrawn in the years leading up to her death. She had confessed to her family about browsing online suicide forums.
Exelby arranged to meet Hall, who styled himself as her mentor online. In August 2024, she had initially planned to fly to the U.S. to meet men promising to help fulfill her fantasy, but Hampshire Police intervened after a friend raised concerns. The following spring, Exelby planned to meet Hall, but he postponed due to his wife's deteriorating health. Exelby then offered to pay $4,000 of Hall's $10,000 IRS debt in exchange for him fulfilling her fantasy of being abused and killed.
On October 10, Exelby flew from Heathrow to Gainesville, Florida, booking a return flight for the following Monday, which may have been a ruse for immigration officials or an indication of uncertainty about the trip's outcome. Hall, who picked her up from the airport, purchased a shovel, rope, and other items before they spent the weekend at an isolated cottage. During this time, attempts to use Exelby's bank cards failed until one transaction for $1,200 went through to Hall's roadside assistance company.
A message sent by Exelby to a friend via Discord appeared garbled but conveyed her fear and a sense of impending doom, mentioning that Hall did not trust her with her phone and that she felt she had no way out unless she shot him. The message concluded with, "I'm sorry I don't even know what I'm saying and I'm trying to be quick and My times up."
Later that night, Hall called his wife, and the next day he recorded a four-minute video of Exelby, purportedly for consent. In the video, Exelby, appearing disheveled with visible bruises, nodded and shook her head in response to Hall's commands. Hall deleted the video shortly after filming, but it was later recovered by police. Hall told investigators that Exelby's subdued demeanor was due to her disappointment in his reluctance to abuse her.
On October 12, Hall drove to a secluded area next to dense woodland near Ocala, where police later found Exelby's body in a shallow grave. She had been stabbed four times, and her blood was found on a knife registered to Hall. The knife was engraved with a reference to one of Hall's online monikers.
Hall was charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in November. Transcripts from his jailhouse calls reveal him expressing resignation to his fate and anger at being portrayed as a "monster." He claims he was trying to help Exelby and provide her with what she wanted, stating, "I tried to give Sonia what she wanted. I tried to do it in a sense that was compassionate and not being a freaking monster."
Exelby's family remembers her as a kind, compassionate, and loving person who was a talented musician. In a tribute, they stated, "We know that life wasn't always easy for you, but your life was so much more than the struggles you faced. It is so important to us that the life you lived is what you are remembered for."