The family of a British woman believed to have been murdered in Florida after disappearing from her home in Hampshire have paid tribute to a “truly beautiful person” and called her “the gentlest soul”.
Sonia Exelby was reported missing from her address in Southsea, Portsmouth, on October 12 2025.
By this time, initial police inquiries established she had already left the country.
Her body was found by US investigators in Marion County, Florida, five days later.
Dwain Hall, 53, of Ocala, was subsequently arrested on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
He had already been detained over the alleged fraudulent use of Ms Exelby’s credit cards.
Hall is expected to face trial in November.
In a statement released by Hampshire police on behalf of the family, they said: “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.”
The youngest of six children, the family said she was “deeply loved by all her siblings”.
The family added: “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.”
The Hampshire force said: “We received a report on Sunday October 12 that Sonia was missing from her home in Southsea.
“Initial inquiries established that she had travelled outside of the UK prior to the report being received.”
It said the constabulary was continuing to support the FDLE investigation, while specially trained officers were providing assistance to Ms Exelby’s family in the UK.
