Sonia Exelby: Family of 'beautiful' Southsea woman killed in America plan to go to murder trial and show support for sister

The family of a “beautiful” Southsea woman who allegedly flew to America to be killed have said they want to stand together to show their support for her at the upcoming murder trial.

“Kind soul” Sonia Exelby, 32, was found stabbed to death and buried in woods in Marion County, Florida, on October 17 last year after going missing from Southsea days earlier on October 12.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested local man Dwain Hall, 53, on suspicion of first-degree murder and kidnapping with him due to go on trial for a week on November 16. Hall had been detained on suspicion of fraudulent use of credit cards and unlawful use of a two-way communication device in connection with Sonia’s case.

Nearly a year on from the tragedy and as the murder trial looms, Sonia’s family have now told The News: “We miss and love her more than words can say.”

Despite facing a significant “financial challenge”, they are determined to fly out to America to witness the “extremely distressing” trial and show that “people care about Sonia and that her life mattered”.

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To help with the financial outlay, Sonia’s five siblings have launched a GoFundMe to raise £10,000 that will help towards their costs.

Gemma Isaj, one of Sonia’s sisters, said there was a “huge amount of love” from devastated family and friends for the talented Southsea musician. “We want people to remember the good she brought into people's lives,” Gemma said.

“We can't change what happened to Sonia. We can't bring our sister back. But we can be there for her in this last hurdle.

“We need to stand together as her family. We need to support one another through what we know is going to be an incredibly painful and traumatic experience.”

Sonia’s brothers Barry and Luke and her sisters Gemma and Sara are determined to be at the trial for their sister alongside their partners and nieces who “desperately want to be there”.

Gemma said: “Getting nine of us to Florida is a financial challenge. The loss of Sonia has already affected every part of our lives. Only four of the nine of us are able to receive some support towards the cost of travelling.

“Setting up a GoFundMe was never something we wanted to do. In all honesty, it has been incredibly difficult for us to ask people for help. We are completely blown away by the kindness.

“We also know that asking for help means more attention, more media coverage and having to revisit Sonia's story again and again. That is painful for us.

“But we have reached a point where we have to put that fear aside. Because we need to be there for our sister.

“If people are able to support us, whether that is through a donation or simply sharing Sonia's story, we will be incredibly grateful. You aren't just helping us with getting to Florida for the trial, you are helping a family stand together for their sister, you are helping us walk into that courtroom knowing that people care about Sonia and that her life mattered.

“And perhaps most importantly, you are helping us make sure that Sonia is remembered for who she really was, rather than simply for the tragedy that took her from us.

“We miss and love her more than words can say. We are devastated and we just want to be there for her to see justice being done.”

Gemma added: “Any contribution will make a huge difference even sharing. If we do raise anything above the cost of expenses to Florida, we will donate it to a mental health charity in Sonia’s honour.

“To all that has supported us in any way so far. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. The kindness we have been shown means more than you could ever realise.”

Writing on the GoFundMe, the family said of Sonia: “Sonia was a beautiful, gentle and incredibly kind soul. 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.”

To donate go to: www.gofundme.com/f/help-sonia-exelbys-family-travel-to-the-trial