Portsmouth woman found dead in Florida was ‘truly beautiful’

The family of a British woman who is suspected to have been murdered in Florida after going missing from her UK home have described her as “truly beautiful”.

Sonia Exelby, 32, went missing from home in Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 12 October and her body was found in Marion County on 17 October.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested local man Dwain Hall, 53, on suspicion of first-degree murder and kidnapping and a trial is expected later in the year. He was already detained on suspicion of fraudulent use of credit cards and unlawful use of a two-way communication device, in connection with Exelby’s case.

Her family said she was a “truly beautiful person, inside and out”.

They said: “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.”