A British music tutor from Portsmouth, Sonia Exelby, traveled to Florida with the apparent intention of being tortured and murdered, according to a police report. She was found dead in shallow grave in Marion County, Florida, and Dwain Hall, 53, whom she met on a fetish website, has been charged with her kidnapping and murder.
Evidence from Exelby's computer indicated she was traveling to the United States with the purpose of being "sexually abused, tortured and murdered by unknown individuals." Exelby, who had a history of mental health struggles, had reportedly been discussing suicidal and violent fantasies with Hall online. Hall, who identified himself as "alphasadist" online, allegedly styled himself as Exelby's mentor.
In August 2024, Exelby had expressed plans to fly to the US to meet men who promised to fulfill her fantasy of violent death. While Hampshire Police intervened at that time and confiscated her phone and laptop, she later made plans to travel to Florida to meet Hall. Hall initially canceled due to his wife's health, but Exelby offered to pay $4,000 of Hall's $10,000 IRS debt in exchange for him fulfilling her fantasy of being "abused and killed."
Exelby flew from London Heathrow to Gainesville, Florida, on October 10, booking a return flight for the following Monday. She was picked up from the airport by Hall, and they stayed in an isolated cottage. During this time, Hall purchased a shovel, rope, and other items. While seven attempts to use Exelby's bank cards failed, a Tesco debit card was successfully used for a $1,200 charge to "Solver Wolf Roadside Assistance," Hall's recovery firm.
According to a message sent by Exelby to an online friend, she was in distress and scared, stating, "I can’t kill anyone. [I] realise this is the last thing I’ll ever day [say] to anyone if I don’t take his offer of shooting him." The message concluded, "My times up."
Hall later recorded a video of Exelby, described as disheveled with bruises on her face and neck, where she appeared to nod in response to his commands to admit she had traveled there to die and was not being forced. Hall deleted the video, but police recovered it. Hall claimed Exelby was disappointed by his reluctance to abuse her.
On October 12, Hall drove to a secluded area near dense woodland, where police later found Exelby's body in a shallow grave. She had been stabbed four times, and her blood was found on a custom steel knife belonging to Hall. The knife was engraved with one of Hall's online monikers.
Hall faces charges of kidnapping and first-degree murder. Transcripts of Hall speaking from jail reveal him expressing resignation to his fate and anger at being portrayed as a "monster." He stated, "I don’t believe I did anything wrong," and claimed he was trying to give Exelby what she wanted in a "compassionate" way.
Exelby's family has described her as a "truly beautiful person, inside and out," highlighting her gentle nature, compassion, and love for animals. They stated, "It is so important to us that the life you lived is what you are remembered for."