Warning: This article may contain some distressing information.
More harrowing details have been revealed following the tragic case of a British woman who flew to Florida with the intention of being murdered by a man she met on a fetish website.
Sonia Exelby was discovered lifeless on October 17, 2023, in a shallow grave in Marion Oaks, Florida, just days after traveling to the United States.
The 32-year-old, who had been reported missing after failing to board her return flight to England on October 13, was found following an investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
Her death was ruled a homicide caused by multiple stab wounds, and a man named Dwain Hall, 53, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and credit card fraud in connection with her death.
Exelby was fatally stabbed four times, an autopsy revealed. Credit: Instagram
The Chilling Video: A Final Plea for Death
On October 11, in the days leading up to her tragic death, Exelby recorded a haunting video with Hall inside an Airbnb in Reddick, Florida.
The footage, obtained from Hall’s phone, showed a visibly bruised and disheveled Exelby, who appeared subdued and hesitant.
She sat silently, rarely making eye contact, as Hall asked her about her wish to die. In the video, she tearfully explained that she wanted to be killed because she felt like an “awful person” and had “crushed everyone who ever loved me", per The New York Post.
“I needed to be beaten and suffer cause I’m such a piece of s***,” she said, her voice trembling as she reluctantly agreed with Hall’s provocations. “Good, good,” Hall responded, continuing to ask for her consent and confirming her desire for a violent end.
Authorities later confirmed that Exelby had expressed second thoughts about the plan just hours before the video was recorded.
In a message to a friend on Discord, she revealed her confusion and fear about going through with the plan. "I thought he’d do it quick and not give my mind time to stew," Exelby wrote.
She had also told her friend that Hall had pressured her to record multiple disclaimer videos and write a letter to her family.
Dwain Hall, 53, was arrested and charged with her murder on Oct. 18. Credit: Marion County Sheriff
A History of Suicidal Despair and Dark Online Encounters
Exelby’s tragic decision did not come out of nowhere, as for years, she had struggled with severe mental health issues, including multiple suicide attempts.
Her desire to die was not an isolated incident but rather part of a troubling history of online interactions, where she confided in strangers through platforms like Telegram about her wish for a violent death.
Hall, who met Exelby on a fetish website two years ago, later claimed that he was trying to “mentor” her and help her through her struggles.
However, authorities believe the man had darker intentions. After Exelby traveled to Florida to meet him, the two engaged in sexual activities multiple times, but things quickly took a sinister turn.
The video recorded by Exelby in the Airbnb showed the true extent of Hall’s manipulation and his role in encouraging her to follow through with her deadly plan.
The Discovery of Exelby’s Body and Hall’s Efforts to Cover His Tracks
After Exelby’s disappearance, the FDLE launched an investigation.
Hall initially provided conflicting statements, but investigators soon uncovered evidence linking him to Exelby’s death.
A shovel was discovered near the location of her shallow grave, and police later discovered that Hall had attempted to use Exelby’s credit cards fraudulently after her death.
Authorities also found charges made to the late woman's British debit card, including a payment to Hall’s employer, Solver Wolf’s Roadside Assistance, for $1,200.
Further investigation revealed that he had mailed a knife to a friend in Ohio shortly after Exelby’s murder, and the knife contained possible blood evidence linked to her.
Despite his attempts to cover up his actions, the suspect was arrested on November 17 and charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and fraudulent use of credit cards. He pleaded not guilty during a court appearance and remains in Marion County Jail without bond.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass has condemned the tragic killing, stating: “This type of violent crime and disregard for human life will not be tolerated in our state - those who commit such heinous crimes will be held fully accountable.”
Exelby’s family, particularly her boyfriend Stevie Hunt, expressed their horror and despair at the news of her death.
Hunt had previously spoken out about Exelby’s struggles with mental health, pleading for her safety in a social media post after her disappearance.
“It pains me to write this, I never thought I’d be writing this. The love of my life Sonia Exelby is missing. She’s struggling deeply right now with her mental health, and we are terrified for her safety,” he wrote.
The case has drawn widespread attention in both the UK and the US, with authorities vowing to bring justice for Exelby.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.