The comprehensive findings of an autopsy report on the demise of Sonia Exelby, a British woman, have been disclosed following allegations that she traveled to the United States to meet a man she encountered on a fetish website with the intention of being violently murdered.
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 to meet Dwain Hall, 53, the individual suspected of her killing. Investigators suggested that Sonia had mental health issues and had planned her trip to the US with the explicit purpose of being violently slain by Hall.
The Marion County Medical Examiner conducted a thorough examination on October 18, with the report being made public this week prior to Hall’s upcoming court appearance in February. The autopsy determined that Sonia’s death resulted from stab wounds to her torso, which were classified as a homicide.
Upon inspection of Sonia’s body, it was observed that she was covered in sandy dirt, with her skin showing signs of discoloration and tissue decomposition. The examination revealed four stab wounds to her torso, two on the left side of her chest and two on the left side of her back, ranging in depth from four to seven inches.
Additionally, the autopsy report mentioned the presence of a “V”-shaped abrasion on the right side of Sonia’s neck and dark red discoloration around her breasts. A toxicology report indicated the likely presence of cannabinoids and a blood alcohol concentration of 0.064 in her system.
Hall came under suspicion after attempting several unauthorized money transfers from Sonia’s bank account. Despite giving conflicting statements during police interviews, Hall was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping following the recovery of Sonia’s remains from the shallow grave. His attorney stated that he pleaded not guilty and maintained his right to remain silent regarding the allegations.
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