A Florida man is behind bars for murdering a woman who allegedly flew from the United Kingdom to be killed.
Sonia Exelby was reportedly experiencing mental health issues when she met Dwain Hall, 53, on a fetish site where she sought someone to abuse her. Exelby flew from the United Kingdom to Florida a week before her body was found in a shallow grave at a Marion Oaks home on October 17, according to WOFL.
Alarms were raised before Exelby’s body was discovered because she failed to board a flight back home on October 13. Fingerprints were taken from the body to confirm it was Exelby.
An autopsy concluded Exelby was fatally stabbed four times with a knife. WOFL reported that Hall was recorded in jail calls telling his wife to keep an eye out for a package from a friend in six months. This led to the discovery of Facebook messages that Hall allegedly sent from jail to the friend who lives in Ohio.
Authorities eventually obtained the package — which reportedly contained a knife stained with Exelby’s blood.
Investigators said the Facebook messages Hall sent to the friend “showed that Hall was controlling her [Exelby], that she was afraid, and had made a mistake,” according to 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.
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[Feature Photo: Facebook; Marion County Jail
