British Woman Found Buried in Shallow Grave in Florida

The 32-year-old woman who vanished after landing in Florida earlier this autumn was found buried in a shallow grave in Marion County, prompting a homicide investigation that now centres on a man she met online.

On October 17, 2025, investigators in Marion County, Florida, discovered a body buried in a shallow grave near the intersection of SW 30th Terrace and SW 27th Circle. Fingerprints confirmed the remains belonged to Sonia Exelby, a 32-year-old woman from Portsmouth, England.

According to law enforcement records, Exelby had travelled to the United States with the apparent intention of ending her life and allegedly sought someone who would torture and kill her.

She is believed to have connected with a man online before making the journey to Florida. She arrived at Gainesville Regional Airport on October 10 but failed to board her scheduled return flight three days later.

Her disappearance was reported to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) by UK authorities through INTERPOL. A week after landing in Florida, her body was found in the wooded backyard of a home in Marion Oaks. Dwain Hall, 53, has since been arrested and charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder.

Sister's Public Plea and Past Mental Health Struggles

On October 20, 2025, a woman identifying herself as Katherine Elizabeth Grantham posted a desperate plea on Facebook, sharing that her sister, Exelby, was missing. "She's struggling deeply right now and we are terrified for her safety," the post read.

Grantham said Exelby was last believed to be in Gainesville and may have also travelled to Tallahassee. The victim's boyfriend, Steve Hunt, also raised the alarm online.

On October 16 he posted, "My whole world is still missing," and added, "I just want and need Sonia back home safe so so bad." On November 9, he shared another update, writing, "So as some of you know, I've been in such a horrible place losing the closest person in the world too me [sic]."

Following her disappearance, Hunt told investigators that Exelby, who studied music in college, had a history of mental health challenges. In 2024, UK authorities intervened after she reportedly tried to hire someone to end her life. That attempt was unsuccessful, and she later received treatment.

Online Fetish Connection and Arrest Details

The FDLE said Exelby had allegedly posted on a fetish website seeking someone to abuse her. Hall, a Florida resident, is accused of responding to that post.

A suicide letter found on Exelby's computer referenced a plan to be "mutilated and disabled for the rest of my life" should she reach the man she had arranged to meet, as she was "suicidal and travelling to the United States to be sexually abused, tortured, and possibly murdered."

Hall initially denied knowing Exelby when questioned by police. However, investigators uncovered a series of digital and physical evidence linking the two.

On October 10, hours before picking her up from the airport, Hall was seen on surveillance video purchasing rope, gun cleaner, and a shovel at Walmart in Gainesville. That same evening, the pair travelled to an Airbnb in Reddick, which Exelby had reserved.

Items bought by Hall — including food, the rope, and other materials — were later found inside the rental property. Investigators said Exelby's bank card was charged $1,200 through Hall's roadside assistance business.

Later, a shovel recovered from Hall's home tested positive for both his and Exelby's DNA. A matching label for the same brand of shovel was found at the burial site.

Police also discovered a disturbing video on Hall's phone in which Exelby, covered in bruises, was seen answering questions about how she wanted to die. Although she responded, she appeared to hesitate repeatedly.

Furthermore, in messages sent via Discord, Exelby told a friend she was being held against her will. "He made it clear there was no way out unless I shoot him," she wrote, adding she had been forced to record disclaimers and write letters to her family "because he thought it was 'funny.'"

Background on the Accused

Hall, originally from Canton, Ohio, owns a business called Solverwolf Roadside Assistance. Public records show previous offences for disorderly conduct and fishing without a licence. He had lived in Ocala for the past three years, following a stint in Tallahassee.

A former neighbour told FOX 35 she had reported Hall for animal neglect. "Thinking of somebody that you came across in life killing somebody else — that's just, I don't know, it's very shocking," she said.

Hall's wife, who is reportedly terminally ill, has not responded to requests for comment. Hall claimed both his wife — who allegedly shares a son with the accused — and mother-in-law live locally.

Timeline of Events Leading to Exelby's Death

A detailed timeline released by authorities outlines the final days of Exelby's life.

• October 10: Hall purchased various items from Walmart and picked Exelby up at 6:30 p.m. before the two travelled to the Airbnb.
• October 11: Hall made multiple purchases in Reddick, including food items later found discarded at the Airbnb. A neighbour reported seeing a vehicle marked "emergency roadside" — matching Hall's business — parked at the property. That afternoon, Exelby messaged a friend saying she was being held.

• October 12: Hall bought a plastic tarp from Lowe's in Ocala. He then travelled to the burial site and remained there for about one hour.
• October 13: UK officials contacted the FDLE about Exelby's disappearance. Hall spoke with detectives and messaged a friend in Ohio, writing, "might be a big storm coming for me."
• October 14: Hall met with detectives and sent a package to the same friend. It later contained a knife with Exelby's blood on it and a bracelet with DNA from both individuals.

• October 15: The FDLE searched the Airbnb.
• October 17: Hall was arrested on unrelated charges, which were later dropped to allow for murder charges.
• October 18: An autopsy concluded Exelby died from four sharp-force injuries, likely inflicted by a knife.

• October 27–31: Investigators found more digital evidence and recovered the alleged murder weapon — a Cold Steel seven-inch tanto knife engraved with "Dorkworf pointy end goes in the other guy."
• November 17: Hall was formally arrested on charges of kidnapping and murder.
• November 18: A judge denied Hall bond, meaning he remains in custody pending trial.

Law Enforcement Response

On November 19, 2025, the FDLE issued a public statement following Hall's arrest. "This type of violent crime and disregard for human life will not be tolerated in our state," said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass.

He also revealed that agents worked with "extraordinary speed and unwavering determination" to bring justice and closure to Exelby's family. The FDLE thanked the Marion County Sheriff's Office and other partners who assisted in the investigation.

With Hall now held without bond and facing charges of kidnapping and first-degree murder, investigators say their focus remains on securing justice for Exelby and providing closure for the family and friends who worked desperately to find her.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.