The family of a “gentle” British woman who was stabbed to death and buried in woodland abroad are struggling to afford to attend her murder trial.
Sonia Exelby, 32, travelled from her home in Southsea, Portsmouth, to Florida in October last year.
According to investigators, Sonia had met Florida resident Dwain Hall through a fetish website and had discussed her mental health struggles and desire to die.
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She landed at Gainesville Regional Airport on 10 October but failed to board her scheduled return flight three days later, as reported by Need To Know.
Her remains were discovered in a shallow grave in woodland in Marion Oaks, Florida, on 17 October.
A post-mortem examination found she had suffered four stab wounds.
Hall, 54, of Ocala, has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping in connection with Sonia’s death.
Investigators allege Sonia became frightened after arriving in Florida and expressed doubts about what was happening in messages to a friend.
Hall has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is expected to stand trial in November.
No finding of guilt has been made against him.
Nine of Sonia’s closest relatives hope to travel to Florida to attend the proceedings and support one another.
However, the cost of flights, accommodation, transport, food and lost wages means some family members may be unable to make the journey.
Only four of the nine are eligible to claim some contribution towards their travel expenses, according to the family.
At least three relatives will also lose earnings while attending the trial.
Sonia’s sister Gemma Isaj said: “None of us want to be going to a trial.
“We know that being there will be extremely distressing and emotionally difficult.
“But Sonia is our sister, our aunt and someone we love deeply. We feel that we need to be there for her.
“We need to stand together as a family, support one another and face this incredibly painful experience together.
“We simply want to be there for Sonia.”
One relative needs to fly from Australia to Florida, with the journey alone expected to cost around £1,500.
An update said donations had already covered three flights, although the family still had “a way to go” to get everybody there.
Remembering Sonia, her family described her as a talented musician and a “beautiful, gentle and incredibly kind soul”.
They said she had experienced mental health difficulties but wanted to use what she had endured to help other people feel understood and less alone.
Her family said: “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.
“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.”
Any money left after the family’s travel expenses and lost wages have been covered will be donated to a mental health charity in Sonia’s honour.
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