Brit lady in ‘US suicide pact modified her thoughts’ earlier than being stabbed to demise
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT British woman Sonia Exelby, 32, who allegedly flew to Florida to be ‘violently’ murdered, shared a tragic social media post in her final months
A woman was killed after apparently travelling to the US to seek a violent death – just a few months after writing on Facebook that she’d “never been healthier.”
The body of Sonia Exelby, 32, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, was found in a shallow grave in woodland in Marion Oaks, Florida, just days after she failed to board her return flight on October 13.
Investigators accuse Florida resident Dwain Hall of sexually abusing, torturing and murdering Sonia, who her family say struggled with her mental health. An autopsy revealed she died from four stab wounds. Investigators connected the pair through transactions on Sonia’s credit cards.
Hall, 53, was arrested on November 17 and now faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, credit card fraud and unlawful use of a communication device, which he denies.
Just months earlier, Sonia had written on Facebook: “Everyone always seems to be trying to lose weight but I’ve never been healthier, and it’s thanks to my curves.
“I focus on eating well for my health now, thank you curves! Who cares about weight, so long as you’re eating to become healthier (if necessary, though I think most can work at this), you’re doing great.
“Small changes snowballed and now I get to eat plenty of cake without feeling guilty. It’s a big f you to deprivation and instead, giving myself better foods so my body can thrive.”
Officials allege Sonia connected with Dwain on a fetish website, where they discussed her desire to have someone on the site kill her. After she left the UK, a frantic friend begged for help, telling her Instagram followers that Sonia had entered “into an extremely vulnerable situation”.
Hall was apprehended on October 17 after he allegedly attempted to use Sonia’s credit cards to withdraw $1,200 (£918). When questioned about Sonia, he reportedly told officers he had been the last person to see her alive and said he would help her.
When asked whether he killed Sonia, Hall refused to answer, but said “she’s happy now because she got what she wanted.”
Bank records and surveillance footage allegedly showed Hall arrived at a Walmart on October 10 where he purchased gun cleaner, rope and Lume spray. Moments later, he returned to the same store to buy a shovel. At that point, Sonia is believed to have still been alive.
Footage obtained by police allegedly shows Hall trying to get her recorded consent. It reportedly shows Sonia covered in bruises while Hall questions why she is there and asks her how she would like to die. She says she wants to be stabbed.
Picking up on Sonia’s demeanour in the video, detectives noted that she appeared hesitant and visibly upset. Heartbreakingly, it appears that Sonia changed her mind about the warped plot. Investigators found messages from Sonia to a friend through the messaging platform Discord on October 11.
“I’m sorry he keeps taking my phone, he doesn’t trust me with it. He made it clear there was no way out unless I shoot him,” one reportedly read.
Investigators learned that, after Sonia died, Hall sent a package to a friend in Ohio, where authorities found a seven-inch Tanto blade with Sonia’s blood on it. A shovel found in Hall’s garage also had traces of Sonia’s DNA.
During his first court appearance on Monday (November 17), Fox 35 Orlando reports, Judge Laurie Cotton told Hall: “Under these circumstances, that there is no bond that would assure your presence in court, keep the community safe. And the facts of this case – there is a large amount of evidence against you.”
For emotional support you can ring the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans. org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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