A man is accused of planning to have alligators devour a British woman who traveled to the US seeking to be harmed. Sonia Exelby, 32, from Portsmouth, went to Florida on October 10 and reportedly met Dwain Hall, 53, who is accused of killing her after connecting on a fetish website. They drove to an Airbnb in Reddick, approximately 100 miles northwest of Orlando, where Hall allegedly filmed a video coercing Sonia to agree to harm.
According to arrest documents obtained by The Mirror, Sonia left evidence on her computer indicating suicidal intentions and a trip to the US to endure abuse, torture, and potential murder. Sonia’s body was discovered in a shallow grave in woodland in nearby Marion County on October 17.
An autopsy revealed she had been stabbed four times with a knife. Subsequently, authorities found a knife with Sonia’s DNA in a package sent to a friend of Hall’s in Ohio.
Hall voluntarily appeared at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office on the same day after allegedly trying to withdraw $1,200 (£905.11) using Sonia’s credit card. Initially, Hall denied meeting Sonia, claiming he received the card number from an unidentified man over the phone. However, he later confessed to interacting with Sonia about her alleged desire to be killed.
Further, Hall admitted to being the last person to see Sonia alive and suggested he would have taken her to Alligator Alley, where she could encounter wildlife that would harm her. He insinuated he would have taken care of inflicting violence on Sonia if she walked in the Everglades.
When questioned about Sonia’s fate, Hall refrained from disclosing details, stating he could not answer. He has been charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, fraudulent credit card use, and misuse of transmission devices. Hall is scheduled to appear in court on December 23 and has pleaded not guilty.
A social media post from someone close to Sonia described her as a vulnerable individual who flew from the UK to Tallahassee, Florida. For emotional support, individuals can contact the Samaritans via their helpline, email, in-person visits, or website.