Dwain Hall, 53, is accused of murdering Sonia Exelby, a 32-year-old British music tutor, at a remote Florida cabin after the two met on an extreme fetish website. Authorities allege Hall stabbed Exelby four times with a customized knife and buried her body in a shallow grave.
The 7-inch steel knife, which authorities say was the murder weapon, bears an inscription: “Dorkworfy point end goes into the other guy.” Police believe this message refers to one of Hall’s online usernames, “Darkwolf.”
According to arrest affidavits and law enforcement records, Exelby, who had severe mental health issues, had arranged to pay Hall to torture and kill her. Hall, a former pizza delivery driver who reportedly worships Anubis, the Egyptian god of death, allegedly met Exelby on an extreme fetish website.
On October 10, 2025, Hall purchased paracord, gun cleaner, rope, and a shovel from Walmart. He then picked up Exelby at Gainesville Regional Airport and drove her to a remote Airbnb in Reddick, Florida, according to police.
The following day, October 11, Hall transferred $1,200 from Exelby’s bank card and recorded a four-minute video of her on his cellphone. In the video, a visibly bruised Exelby states she traveled to the U.S. to die and was not forced to be there. She also says, “I’ve crushed everyone who ever loves me.” Hall allegedly deleted this video from his phone before authorities could recover it.
However, messages sent by Exelby to a friend on Discord around the same time expressed pain and regret. She wrote, “I thought he’d do it quick and not give my mind time to stew and realise this is the last thing I’ll ever day [say] to anyone if I don’t take his offer of shooting him.” She signed off, “I’m trying to be quick and [sic] My times up.”
On October 12, Hall bought a plastic tarp from a Lowe’s in Ocala and drove to a wooded area in Marion Oaks. Cell tower data indicates he remained in the area for approximately one hour. Authorities believe Hall then disposed of Exelby’s belongings in a donation bin in Gainesville before returning home to his wife and stepson.
Exelby’s family reported her missing on October 13, the same day she was scheduled to miss her return flight. According to police, Hall messaged a friend on Facebook that day, writing, “Might be a big storm coming for me.” The following day, he sent a package to this friend’s home in Ohio.
“Will need this back in six months if this storm passes over with no lingering fallout. Please for the love of shadows don’t lose this box,” Hall allegedly wrote in a follow-up message. The package contained the bloodstained knife, its sheath, and a bracelet with the victim’s DNA, authorities said.
On October 13, Hall voluntarily met with detectives who had identified the $1,200 charge on Exelby’s card. He reportedly claimed Exelby had attempted to buy roadside assistance, but insisted they had not met in person.
Exelby’s body was discovered in a shallow grave in Marion Oaks on October 17. Hall was arrested on credit card fraud charges related to Exelby’s bank account on October 27. He was officially charged with murder and kidnapping in November 2025 and is being held without bond.
Hall has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Jury selection for his trial is scheduled to begin on November 16, 2026, in Marion County, Florida.