A comprehensive post-mortem examination has been disclosed regarding the demise of Sonia Exelby, a British national, who reportedly traveled to the United States with the intention of being violently killed by an individual she met on a fetish platform.
Sonia, aged 32 and hailing from Portsmouth, Hampshire, was discovered in a shallow grave in Marion County, Florida, shortly after her arrival in the state on October 10. She had arranged to meet Dwain Hall, a 53-year-old suspected perpetrator. Investigative authorities have suggested that Sonia had mental health struggles and had planned her trip to the US specifically to meet her tragic fate at the hands of Hall.
The Marion County Medical Examiner conducted a detailed autopsy on October 18, with the findings recently made public in anticipation of Hall’s upcoming court appearance in February. The autopsy report confirmed that Sonia’s death resulted from stab wounds to her torso, categorizing her demise as a homicide.
The examination of Sonia’s body revealed that she was covered in sandy dirt, with skin discoloration and tissue decomposition evident. She sustained four stab wounds to her torso, including two on the left side of her chest and two on the left side of her back.
Medical experts estimated the depth of the torso wounds to range from four to six inches, with the back wounds varying between five to seven inches deep. Additionally, the autopsy highlighted potential additional injuries that may have been obscured by post-mortem changes, noting a distinctive “V”-shaped abrasion on the right side of her neck.
Moreover, a toxicology analysis conducted at the end of October detected cannabinoids in Sonia’s system, along with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.064. According to the Cleveland Clinic, such a concentration could lead to inhibited feelings, reduced alertness, and impaired judgment.
Hall became a primary suspect in the case following attempts to transfer funds from Sonia’s bank account. Subsequently, he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping after Sonia’s remains were recovered. Hall’s defense attorney, Julia Williamson, declared his plea of not guilty, emphasizing his right to remain silent regarding the allegations.
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