Woman Flew 4,000 Miles to Florida and Was Found Slain in Shallow Grave. Her Family Says She Was Groomed by Men for 2 Years

**British Woman Found Murdered in Florida Following Alleged Grooming on Fetish Website**

A tragic case has emerged from Florida involving a British woman named Sonia Exelby, whose remains were discovered in October 2025. Exelby, originally from Portsmouth, England, was found buried in a shallow grave in Marion Oaks after she failed to board her flight home. Her death has been classified as homicide, with an autopsy revealing that she died from multiple stab wounds.

Dwain Hall, a 53-year-old man, has been charged with both kidnapping and murder in relation to Exelby’s death. Authorities allege that Hall and Exelby met on a fetish website, where he reportedly used the username “alphasadist.” Hall has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges against him.

Reports have surfaced indicating that Exelby’s family believes she had been groomed on the fetish site for approximately two years before her tragic death. Her brother, Barry Wilton, shared that Exelby had expressed concerns over the dangers posed by the website’s users. “When Sonia first raised this, she was saying she had to protect others, by gathering evidence and talking with them. She had a purpose to stop this from happening to others,” Wilton explained, adding that Exelby sought to shine a light on the vulnerability of women in similar situations.

The context surrounding Exelby’s journey to Florida suggests a complex narrative. Prior to her trip, she began to question her safety and even reached out to a friend over Discord, expressing fears about being held against her will. In a message, she reportedly indicated that Hall had made threats, stating, “He made it clear there was no way out unless I shoot him.”

Exelby’s family has described her as a vulnerable individual struggling with mental health issues. In an emotional GoFundMe post, her sister Gemma Isaj highlighted Exelby’s desire to utilise her own past struggles to support others. “Sonia struggled with her mental health, and she knew from her own experiences how difficult life could sometimes be,” Isaj wrote. The crowdfunding campaign was initiated to assist the family in travelling to the United States for Hall’s upcoming trial, which is set to commence in November 2025.

Luke Wilton, another of Exelby’s brothers, has called for greater scrutiny and potentially the banning of fetish websites, claiming they pose significant risks to vulnerable individuals. “We hear so many negative things because of the nature of the case,” he said. “It is an important cause to us all to get these sites removed. We want the maximum sentence and full extent of justice.”

The investigation into Exelby’s murder has garnered significant media attention, shedding light on the darker aspects of online communities and the grooming of vulnerable individuals. The case raises important questions about the responsibilities of such websites in safeguarding users against exploitation and abuse.

Exelby’s family’s painful history underscores a broader societal issue regarding mental health and the potential for online platforms to be misused by malicious actors. They are hopeful that their ongoing efforts will prevent others from facing similar fates and advocate for reforms intended to protect individuals vulnerably engaged in online interactions.

As more details come to light, the case continues to resonate with those following the troubling intersections of mental health, technology, and personal safety. The forthcoming trial is expected to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding Exelby’s life and her tragic end, potentially influencing future policies around online platforms and their user protections.

The reality of Exelby’s tragic situation has refocused attention on the need for increased awareness and safety measures within online communities, emphasising the importance of recognising and addressing the needs of those who may be particularly at risk.