Florida man faces murder trial after UK woman found in shallow grave

Key Points:

• Sonia Exelby, a young woman from Portsmouth, England, traveled to Florida to fulfill a plan with Dwain Hall, who allegedly agreed to sexually abuse, torture, and murder her; she later regretted the decision and tried to back out, according to messages to a friend.
• Exelby was reported missing in October 2025 after failing to return to the UK, and her body was found buried in a shallow grave in Ocala, Florida, with stab wounds; Hall faces charges of premeditated first-degree murder and kidnapping, with a trial set for November 5.
• Hall and Exelby met on a fetish website in 2023 and agreed on a $4,000 payment for Hall to carry out Exelby's wishes; investigators uncovered evidence of Hall preparing for the crime, including purchasing rope, a shovel, and other items.
• Before her death, Exelby sent distressing messages expressing fear and regret, revealing she was locked in and had limited phone access; a video recovered from Hall shows Exelby visibly upset and coerced into discussing her desire to die by stabbing.
• Hall initially denied knowing Exelby but later admitted to recording her; he is currently held on six felony charges and could face the death penalty, while authorities investigate if he may have other victims.