A Florida man has been arrested for the murder of a woman who reportedly traveled from the United Kingdom with the intention of being killed.
Sonia Exelby, who was said to be struggling with mental health issues, allegedly connected with Dwain Hall, 53, on a website catering to fetishes. Their interaction resulted in Exelby flying to Florida one week before her body was discovered in a shallow grave at a residence in Marion Oaks on October 17, as reported by WOFL.
Concerns arose when Exelby did not return to the UK as planned on October 13, prompting authorities to investigate. Her identity was confirmed through fingerprint analysis.
The autopsy revealed that Exelby died from four stab wounds inflicted by a knife. According to WOFL, Hall was overheard in jail conversations advising his wife to expect a package from a friend in six months, which directed investigators to look into Facebook messages he allegedly sent from jail to an acquaintance in Ohio.
Ultimately, authorities intercepted the package, which reportedly contained a knife bearing traces of Exelby’s blood.
Investigators uncovered Facebook messages from Hall that suggested he had been exerting control over Exelby, indicating that she felt fearful and regretted her decisions, as detailed by WCJB.
Surveillance footage allegedly showed Hall purchasing a shovel, which was later recovered from his home. The shovel not only contained his and Exelby’s DNA, but a label for a shovel was found in the shallow grave.
WOFL reported that the label matched the brand of shovel Hall was seen purchasing in the surveillance footage.
While Hall initially denied knowing Exelby, records indicated that his business billed expenses on Exelby’s bank card. Additionally, license plate readers confirmed Hall’s vehicle picked up Exelby from the Gainesville airport on October 10.
According to investigators, bank records and surveillance footage also established that Hall bought a shovel, rope, and a gun cleaner right before picking up Exelby from the airport.
Eventually, Hall allegedly confessed to meeting Exelby on a fetish site two years earlier. He claimed that he was acting as a mentor to Exelby and was trying to convince her not to kill herself. He reportedly also admitted to having sex with Exelby at an Airbnb.
Hall reportedly also stated that he had some violent tendencies. Investigators recovered a video Hall deleted, which showed Hall asking Exelby — covered in bruises — why she was there. According to WCJB. Exelby responded, “Because I’m an awful person. I’ve crushed everyone who ever loves me.”
“He made it clear there was no way out unless I shoot him. I was questioning it last night… I thought he’d do it quick and not give my mind time to stew,” she allegedly told a friend on Discord on October 11.
WOFL reported that authorities in the United Kingdom said Exelby looked for someone to kill her last year, but she was stopped and underwent treatment.
Hall was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, credit card fraud, and unlawful use of a communication device. A judge denied bond earlier this week.
[Feature Photo: Facebook; Marion County Jail
