British Tutor Sonia Exelby Murdered in Florida, Dwain Hall Charged
Sonia Exelby, a 32‑year‑old music tutor from Portsmouth, Hampshire, was reported missing on 12 October 2025. She travelled to Florida, United States, intending to meet a man she had contacted through an online fetish site. Five days later her body was discovered in a wooded area of Marion County, suffering four deep stab wounds. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 53‑year‑old Dwain Hall of Ocala, charging him with first‑degree murder and kidnapping. Hall has denied the allegations and is scheduled to appear in court later this year.
Hampshire Police, on behalf of Exelby's family, released a tribute describing her as a “truly beautiful person” with a “gentlest soul”. The family highlighted her kindness, veganism, musical talent and deep love among her six siblings. The investigation continues as US and UK authorities cooperate on the case.
Entities
Dwain Hall · Florida Department of Law Enforcement · Hampshire Police · Marion County, Florida · Portsmouth, Hampshire · Sonia Exelby
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Her body was found in Marion County, Florida on 17 October 2025. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailystar.co.uk · www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] An autopsy showed she died from four stab wounds. www.dailystar.co.uk · www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Dwain Hall, 53, of Ocala, Florida, was arrested and charged with first‑degree murder and kidnapping. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailystar.co.uk · www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Hall is scheduled to stand trial in November 2026. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailystar.co.uk · www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Hampshire Police are cooperating with U.S. authorities on the investigation. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailystar.co.uk · www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Sonia Exelby was reported missing from her home in Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire on 12 October 2025. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailystar.co.uk · www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Hall had previously been detained for alleged fraudulent use of Exelby’s credit cards. thebusinesstimes.co.uk · www.dailystar.co.uk · www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk