‘I thought he’d do it quick’: UK woman flew to Florida ‘to be tortured and murdered,’ police say
A 53-year-old Florida man has been charged with killing a 32-year-old British woman who traveled from the United Kingdom to the U.S. in what authorities describe as a disturbing plot involving online fetishism, coercion, and financial exploitation.
Dwain C. Hall faces charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, and credit card fraud in the death of Sonia Exelby, of Portsmouth, England, according to court records.
A probable cause affidavit states that Exelby, who had a documented history of mental health struggles, flew to Florida on Oct. 10 after two years of online communication with Hall, who used the screen name “alphasadist” on a fetish website. Though Hall initially told investigators he was acting as a “mentor” to Exelby, authorities say digital and physical evidence indicates she was held against her will, tortured, and ultimately stabbed to death.
The investigation began on Oct. 13, when UK authorities contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) after Exelby failed to board her return flight. She had previously attempted to travel to the U.S. in 2024 to meet individuals who would, according to her messages, “kill her violently,” but that trip was stopped before she departed.
Investigators discovered online records showing Exelby’s desire to be “sexually abused, tortured and murdered by unknown individuals living in the United States.”
According to the affidavit, Hall purchased a shovel, rope, paracord, and gun cleaner from a Walmart about an hour before Exelby’s flight landed at Gainesville Regional Airport. He then picked her up and drove her to an Airbnb in Reddick, Florida, which she had rented.
Financial records show that the following day, Oct. 11, Hall attempted to process seven charges on Exelby’s debit card through his business, Solver Wolf’s Roadside Assistance. When most were declined, a $1,200 transfer was eventually completed.
Investigators say Exelby’s digital communications from inside the Airbnb depict a chaotic and terrifying situation. In a message to a friend on Discord, she wrote that Hall was “so bad,” kept taking her phone, and told her there was “no way out unless I shoot him… I can’t kill anyone.”
“I thought he’d do it quick and not give my mind time to stew,” she wrote. “I’m locked in and there is no signal in the middle of nowhere.” She added that Hall forced her to record “three disclaimer videos” and write a letter to her family “because he thought it was funny.”
Her final messages described being frightened, injured, and complying with Hall to avoid further harm.
Police later recovered a deleted video from Hall’s phone dated Oct. 11. It shows Exelby bruised and disheveled while Hall interrogates her, asking if she is being forced or coerced. After she shakes her head no, Hall tells her, “You wanted to be beaten and made to suffer because you’re such a piece of s—,” and orders her to repeat it. Investigators said Exelby appeared terrified throughout.
Hall, who was already jailed on an unrelated fraud charge, made several incriminating statements during interviews, including asking detectives, “If you end a person’s life, isn’t that murder?” When asked what he would say to Exelby’s family, he responded that the last time he saw her, “she was happy because she was going to get what she wanted.”
Police later found that Hall had mailed a package to a man in Ohio with instructions not to open it. A search of the man’s home uncovered a knife that tested positive for Exelby’s blood, according to investigators.
Hall is currently being held without bond. A court date has not yet been scheduled.
