Family’s tribute to British woman who flew to the US to be ‘violently murdered’

The family of a British woman thought to have flown to the US to be ‘violently murdered’ by a man she met online said she was a ‘truly beautiful person’ and the ‘gentlest soul’.

Sonia Exelby, 32, was reported missing from her home in Portsmouth after failing to board a return flight from Florida last October.

Her body was found by US investigators in Marion County, Florida, on October 17.

Dwain Hall, 53, of Ocala, was subsequently arrested on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
He is expected to face trial in November.

In a statement, Sonia’s family said: ‘Sonia was a truly beautiful person, inside and out.

‘She had the gentlest soul – so gentle that she chose to become vegan, because she couldn’t bear the thought of any animal suffering just so she could eat. That was who she was: kind, compassionate, and full of quiet love.

‘She was incredibly talented. Sonia could play the piano so effortlessly, and when she sang, she had the voice of an angel. Being around her felt special — she brought a calmness and warmth that made everything feel a little lighter.

‘Sonia was one of those rare people who made you feel completely safe to be yourself. She never judged, never criticised – she simply accepted people as they were and loved them for it. That is something so many of us will carry with us forever.’

The youngest of six children, the family said she was ‘deeply loved by all her siblings’.

The family added: ‘She was softly spoken and always gave the best most intense hugs. She was the baby out of us that kept us bound together.

‘We will never get over losing her, which has left an emptiness in our lives that can never be filled. The world has lost so much kindness and light, and her absence will be felt by so many people for so many years to come.

‘We know that life wasn’t always easy for you, but your life was so much more than the struggles you faced. This is so important to us that the life you lived is what you are remembered for.

‘You were deeply loved, and you will always be deeply loved. We miss you more than words can ever say. We love you so much, always, and forever.’

Sonia flew out to Florida on October 10 and was reported missing when she failed to board the return flight she had booked for three days later.

Her long-term partner Steve Hunt posted an emotional appeal for help in finding her, which said: ‘We believe she has arranged to meet someone there and has got herself into an extremely vulnerable situation. That’s all I can really say on that.’

Detectives in the US said their investigation suggested Sonia had ‘travelled to the United States with the intention of meeting with online individuals who would be willing to kill her violently’.

Evidence retrieved from her computer indicated she was ‘suicidal and travelling to the US to be possibly sexually abused, tortured and murdered by unknown individuals’, they added.

Sonia’s body was found in woodland at Marion Oaks. A shovel found at Hall’s home was found to contain soil which matched that found at the burial site.

Her blood was also found on the handle. A post-mortem examination later revealed she had been stabbed four times.

Hampshire police said: ‘We received a report on Sunday October 12 that Sonia was missing from her home in Southsea.

‘Initial inquiries established that she had travelled outside of the UK prior to the report being received.’

It said the constabulary was continuing to support the FDLE investigation, while specially trained officers were providing assistance to Ms Exelby’s family in the UK.

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