OCALA, Fla. (CBS12) — An Ocala man accused of killing a British woman who investigators say traveled to Florida after posting online about wanting someone to end her life is headed to trial.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, 53-year-old Dwain Hall is scheduled to face a jury Nov. 5 at 8:15 a.m. in the death of Sonia Exelby, a woman from Portsmouth, England, whose disappearance sparked an international investigation after an alert from INTERPOL was sent to FDLE.

Hall was arrested on Nov. 17, 2025, and charged with kidnapping and homicide in connection with Exelby’s death. He has remained jailed without bond as the case moves through the court system.

A deposition notice was posted Monday in the case, though court records do not identify who is scheduled to be deposed.

According to the arrest affidavit, Exelby had previously expressed suicidal thoughts and communicated online with people she believed might be willing to kill her. Investigators allege Hall knew about her struggles and used that vulnerability to bring her to Florida.

Exelby traveled to the United States in October 2025 and arrived at Gainesville Regional Airport on Oct. 10. Authorities say Hall picked her up from the airport and drove her to an Airbnb in Reddick, where investigators later found evidence they say connected him to her disappearance and death.

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Investigators say the case was built through financial records, surveillance footage, digital communications and forensic evidence collected after Exelby was reported missing in the United Kingdom.

According to the affidavit, Hall’s roadside assistance business attempted multiple charges to Exelby’s bank cards shortly after she arrived in Florida. Seven transactions were declined, but one $1,200 payment was ultimately processed from one of Exelby’s accounts.

Hall initially told investigators he never met Exelby and only spoke with an unknown woman requesting roadside assistance. Investigators say he later changed his story and admitted he knew Exelby and had been with her at the Reddick Airbnb.

The affidavit states Hall purchased items including rope, gun cleaner and a shovel at a Gainesville Walmart on the same day he picked Exelby up from the airport.

During a search of the Airbnb, FDLE investigators say they recovered a video from Hall’s cellphone showing Exelby inside the home with visible injuries. Investigators say Hall’s voice can be heard questioning her about death and violence during the recording.

The affidavit also details a message Exelby sent to an online friend during the trip, in which she said she was scared, that someone was controlling her phone and that she felt trapped.

An excerpt from the text message was detailed in the arrest affidavit:

I’m sorry he keeps taking my phone he doesn’t trust me with it. He made it clear there was no way out unless I shoot him. I was questioning it last night. I can’t kill anyone.” She went on to write that last night was “so bad” and “He’s in the shower, but I’m locked in, and there is no signal in the middle of nowhere. I thought he’d do it quick and not give my mind time to stew and realise this is the last thing I’ll ever say to anyone if I don’t take his offer of shooting him. He showed me about to use it and where to aim it.” She ends the message by writing “I’m so so scared I’m so broken and in so much pain all I can do is lay here and doing what gee wants makes him respect me enough not to do the things I really hate. Everything but some are. I’m sorry I don’t even know what I’m saying and I’m trying to be quick and My times up

Investigators later searched a wooded area in Marion County where Hall previously said he stopped after claiming he was being followed. Authorities say cadaver dogs alerted to disturbed soil, where Exelby’s remains were later found.

The medical examiner determined Exelby died from four sharp-force injuries and ruled the death a homicide.

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Investigators say additional evidence linked Hall to the killing, including Exelby’s DNA found on a shovel recovered from Hall’s garage and on a knife recovered from an associate’s home in Ohio.

According to the affidavit, Hall sent the knife and other items to the associate shortly after investigators first contacted him. Investigators say Hall also referenced a “storm” coming in messages with the associate and asked him to hold onto a package containing personal items.