Authorities in the US are investigating the death of a British woman who went to Florida with the intention of being murdered by a man she met on a fetish website. A disturbing find was made by the police in a package sent by the alleged killer.
The woman, identified as Sonia Exelby from Portsmouth in US reports, had planned to meet individuals online who were willing to kill her violently, according to officials. Ms. Exelby, who had a history of mental health struggles and suicidal tendencies, was reported missing and at risk by British authorities through INTERPOL on October 13.
Her body was discovered in a shallow grave on October 17, shortly after her arrival in Florida, and a Florida man named Dwain Hall was taken into custody. Hall faces charges of kidnapping and first-degree murder in connection with her death, alongside the recovery of a disturbing package addressed to his wife from an acquaintance.
Hall, a 53-year-old resident of Ocala, was apprehended by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) deputies following the recovery of Ms. Exelby’s remains in Marion County. The FDLE alleges that he responded to a request she had made on an undisclosed fetish platform seeking to be abused and ultimately killed.
In October, Hall was arrested for the unauthorized use of the British woman’s credit cards. During the court proceedings, a judge highlighted a substantial amount of incriminating evidence against him and denied him bail. Police mentioned alleged jail phone calls, including one instructing his wife to expect a package from a friend in six months.
Investigators found Facebook messages sent by Hall from prison to a friend in Ohio discussing the package. Upon retrieval, authorities found a knife inside, with traces of Ms. Exelby’s blood found on the blade during forensic testing.
It was revealed that Hall and Ms. Exelby spent time together at an Airbnb property, engaging in sexual activities multiple times. A video recovered by investigators showed the British woman being coerced into answering questions about her desire to be beaten and killed while displaying bruises and distress.
The investigation unveiled that Ms. Exelby was stabbed four times with a knife, according to the results of the autopsy. UK authorities disclosed that she had previously attempted to hire someone to end her life in 2024 but was unsuccessful and received treatment.
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