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British Woman Flew to US for Death Pact
19 Nov
Summary
- A British woman allegedly flew to Florida for a pre-arranged death.
- Her body was found stabbed and buried in woods days after arrival.
- The man she met online has been arrested for her murder.
The body of Sonia Exelby, 32, from Portsmouth, was found buried in Florida's Marion County on October 17, days after she was reported missing. Authorities allege Exelby traveled to the United States with the intention of being killed by Dwain Hall, 53, whom she met online.
Hall, who has been arrested for first-degree murder, told detectives he acted as Exelby's "mentor" and admitted to violent tendencies. Investigators recovered a deleted video showing Exelby appearing hesitant and bruised as Hall inquired about consent to harm her. A message Exelby sent to a friend indicated she was afraid and had made a mistake.
UK authorities alerted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement via Interpol when Exelby missed her return flight on October 13. Hall was linked to the crime through credit card transactions and the purchase of a shovel, which was later found with Exelby's DNA. He also mailed a knife, likely containing Exelby's DNA, to an associate in Ohio.
