A British woman who travelled to the United States to meet a man she connected with on a fetish website was stabbed four times and left in a shallow grave, a detailed autopsy has confirmed.
Journey to Florida and a Fatal Meeting
Sonia Exelby, a 32-year-old woman from Portsmouth, Hampshire, arrived in Florida on October 10, 2025. Police allege she was collected from the airport by Dwain Hall, 53, and taken to an Airbnb rental property in Reddick, located in Marion County.
Her body was discovered one week later, on October 17, buried in a shallow grave in a wooded area within the same county. Hall was subsequently arrested and now faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Graphic Details from the Autopsy Report
The Marion County Medical Examiner's office released findings stating Exelby's cause of death was stab wounds to the torso, and the manner of death is officially ruled a homicide. The wounds, between four and seven inches deep, caused catastrophic damage.
The autopsy detailed injuries to her aorta, oesophagus, stomach, spleen, pancreas, and left kidney. Investigators also noted a distinctive "dried, red-orange 'V'-shaped abrasion" on her body. A toxicology screen indicated the likely presence of cannabinoids in her system.
Legal Proceedings and Mental Health Context
According to authorities, Exelby and Hall had met on a fetish website where they allegedly discussed scenarios involving her abuse and possible killing. Police reports indicate that Sonia had been struggling with her mental health.
Hall's defence attorney, Julia Williamson, has previously indicated to the Mirror that her client intends to enter a not guilty plea. His next court appearance is scheduled for February.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its disturbing nature and the international dimension of a UK citizen meeting a fatal end abroad after online contact.
