British Woman's Death in Florida Investigated as Grooming Case, Family Claims
Relatives of Sonia Exelby allege she was groomed online before her death in Florida, with a murder trial pending.
A British woman who traveled to Florida and was later found dead in a shallow grave was allegedly groomed through a fetish website where she met her accused murderer, according to her family. Sonia Exelby, 32, died on October 17 of last year after traveling approximately 4,000 miles from Portsmouth to Marion County.
Early police investigations suggested Ms. Exelby may have paid Dwain Hall, 54, to end her life. The pair had reportedly met on a fetish website. Ms. Exelby, a music tutor, had a history of depression and body dysmorphia, and police noted she had left evidence on her computer indicating suicidal ideation prior to her travel. Hall, a father of two, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and kidnapping. He also faced charges related to fraudulent use of credit cards and unlawful use of a communication device linked to Ms. Exelby. Hall has denied all charges, and his trial is scheduled to begin on November 16.
A medical examiner determined that Ms. Exelby had been stabbed four times. Her body was discovered in woodland near a highway.
Ms. Exelby's siblings have asserted that she was groomed by Hall over a two-year period, noting that her family had expressed concerns about the fetish website. They believe Hall exploited her vulnerability. Her brother, Luke Wilton, stated that Ms. Exelby had intended to gather evidence against individuals involved in harming vulnerable women online, citing friends who had suffered similar fates. She allegedly told her siblings she had discovered a group of American men targeting and murdering vulnerable women and planned to travel to expose their crimes.
Following her arrival in Florida, Ms. Exelby reportedly sent messages to friends seeking assistance. Her family is attempting to raise funds through a GoFundMe campaign to cover travel expenses for relatives to attend Hall's trial and share Ms. Exelby's story. The eldest sibling, Gemma Isaj, noted that an Airbnb booking for the family in Florida was canceled after they explained the reason for their visit. The family is seeking the "full extent of justice" at Hall's trial.
