Family of Brit 'murdered' in Florida launch fundraiser to travel to trial

The family of a British woman who was allegedly murdered by an American in Florida have launched a fundraiser to travel to the trial.

Sonia Exelby, 32, from Portsmouth, was found dead in the US last year just days after she reportedly travelled from the UK to the US to meet American Dwain Hall, 53. The pair are alleged to have spoken in an explicit online chat room in the months leading up to her death in October last year.

The music tutor's body was found in a shallow grave and a medical examiner later revealed she had been stabbed multiple times. Hall was arrested and was charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping - he has denied the charges against him.

Sonia's family have now revealed they intend to travel to Florida to attend Hall's trial in November. Her sister Gemma Isaj said they organised a GoFundMe to raise funds for Sonia's siblings and their partners as well as some of her nieces who "desperately" want to be there.

"None of us want to be going to a trial," she said in the fundraiser. "We know that being there will be extremely distressing and emotionally difficult.

"But Sonia is our sister, our aunt and someone we love deeply. We feel that we need to be there for her. We need to stand together as a family, support one another and face this incredibly painful experience together. We simply want to be there for Sonia."

The family is now aiming to raise £2,600 toward their travel costs. Since being launched, the GoFundMe - which can be viewed here - has raised £1,660.

Gemma praised Sonia as a "beautiful, gentle and incredibly kind soul" who "tragically had her life stolen from her." She continued: "She was a talented musician, with a deep sensitivity and an enormous capacity for compassion and empathy.

"Sonia struggled with her mental health, and she knew from her own experiences how difficult life could sometimes be. But Sonia was passionate about using the challenges and experiences she had faced to help others.

"She wanted people who were struggling to feel understood, supported and, most importantly, to know that they were not alone. Her struggles were only one part of her story. Sonia was so much more than the difficulties she faced.

"She was a loving sister, aunt, daughter, family member and friend. She was compassionate, empathetic and deeply caring, and she had a real desire to make a difference in the lives of other people. She had so much life ahead of her, and she did not deserve to have her life taken from her in this way.

"Our family is devastated and completely heartbroken. Sonia has left a huge hole in all of our lives, and our lives have been changed forever."

Sonia's family also wanted people to learn more about who she was. Gemma described Sonia as being "loved, "gentle," "compassionate," "Empathetic," and "talented."

She was described as someone who faced her own struggles, yet wanted to use those experiences to help others. "She should still be here," Gemma added.