A legal representative for the individual accused of the murder of Sonia Exelby, a British woman who reportedly traveled to the United States with the intention of being killed, has provided an update on the case.
Lawyer Julia Williamson shared this information ahead of Dwain Hall’s upcoming court appearance in February and his arraignment scheduled for Tuesday. Williamson stated that she submitted a written plea of not guilty, pending the receipt of Discovery, which contains the evidence held by the government against Mr. Hall.
Regarding delays in the case, Williamson mentioned that Hall had been previously arrested on minor charges related to a credit card but that those charges were dropped, and the case restarted. Hall is now facing charges of homicide and kidnapping in connection with Sonia’s death.
The lawyer also noted that her client would exercise his right to remain silent on the allegations at this time, with the possibility of a future statement to Ms. Exelby’s friends and family. She expressed condolences for the tragic loss and acknowledged the pain experienced by all those involved.
Sonia’s body was discovered in a grave in woodland in Marion Oaks after she failed to confirm her return flight on October 13. Investigators have accused Hall, a 53-year-old Florida resident, of sexually assaulting, torturing, and killing the 32-year-old Sonia from Portsmouth.
According to Sonia’s family, she struggled with mental health issues and traveled to the US on October 10 after communicating with an individual she met on a fetish website. Their conversation reportedly shifted from bondage and suicide to Sonia expressing a desire to be killed.
An autopsy revealed that Sonia sustained four stab wounds with a knife, leading to her death. Hall was apprehended after authorities traced him using Sonia’s credit cards.
Court documents revealed that Hall initially denied knowing Sonia but later admitted to picking her up and driving her to an Airbnb. Additional records, such as license plate reader data, captured Hall’s vehicle at the Gainesville airport around the time Sonia arrived.
Arrest records indicated that Sonia had left evidence on her computer suggesting suicidal intentions and a plan to be sexually abused, tortured, and potentially murdered in the US. Hall allegedly confessed during police questioning that he and Sonia had discussions about bondage, suicide, and her desire for someone to end her life.