Sonia Exelby was reported missing from her address in Portsmouth, Hampshire, on October 12 last year, by which time initial police inquiries established she had already left the country
The devastated family of a young Brit believed to have been murdered in the US has described her as a “truly beautiful person” and “the gentlest soul”.
Sonia Exelby’s parents have spoken about the case publicly for the first time, remembering the 32-year-old music tutor as “full of quiet love”.
Ms Exelby was found dead in Marion County, Florida five days after vanishing from her home in Portsmouth, Hampshire. An affidavit filed in the US claimed the woman had struggled with her mental health, was suicidal, and had planned to travel to the United States with “the intention of meeting with online individuals who would be willing to kill her violently”.
But Dwain Hall, a 53-year-old man from Marion County, is awaiting trial later this year after he was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and kidnapping. He denies murdering Ms Exelby.
Remembering Ms Exelby, the family said in a statement issued via Hampshire Police, which is handling the UK side of the investigation into her death: “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.”
Hampshire Police said in its own statement that investigators had established the tutor was missing from her home in Southsea on October 12.
The service added that it discovered she had left the UK prior to receiving a report that her body was found in the US five days later, and that its US counterparts are continuing on their investigation ahead of Hall’s trial. The statement added: “Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary officers continue to liaise with US authorities to assist them and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO).
“Our specially trained officers are providing assistance to Sonia’s family in the UK.” The family’s statement continues with a loving recount of her childhood, and the troubles she experienced later in her life.
It states: “As the youngest of six, Sonia was deeply loved by all her siblings. She shared an especially close and special bond with her sister Sara, a connection that will never be broken. She was raised by her amazing parents in Porchester, surrounded by love every single day. She built a life filled with that same love, especially with her devoted partner of 15 years, Stevie.
“Sonia was a wonderful aunty bringing fun and love to her nieces and nephews, she also taught them music. Sonia had so many wonderful friends, who describe her as beautiful and caring.
“One wrote that they had ‘never known a soul with a bigger or purer heart, and nobody made me feel seen quite like she did’. Sonia’s siblings describe her as the “softest most gentle soul”. 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.”
