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Sonia Exelby | “My Time’s Up” - Her Chilling Final Messages (Part 3)

Crime Weekly

Hosted by Derrick Levasseur and Stephanie Harlowe

1h 52m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

In this episode, the hosts analyze chilling cellphone video footage and unsent messages from 32-year-old Sonia Exelby, who flew from London to Florida and was murdered by online acquaintance Dwayne Hall. Hall claimed Sonia wanted him to kill her, but the evidence reveals a harrowing picture of coercion, physical abuse, and a desperate victim who realized too late that she could not escape. The hosts also examine interviews with Hall's partner, Ginger Stein, who bizarrely defends Hall's actions as a mercy killing while expressing more anger over his infidelity than the murder itself, exposing a deeply disturbing network of enablers and twisted rationalizations.

  • Recognize that online predators often target vulnerable individuals by exacerbating their negative self-talk and feelings of worthlessness. 8:57
  • Be aware that text messages sent from a captive person's phone can reveal a drastic change of heart and second thoughts about a dangerous situation. 29:58
  • Understand that uncritical support or minimization from a spouse can signal deep complicity or a severely warped perception of violent crimes. 42:36

Chapters

  1. 0:11
    Episode Introduction and Merch Reminder

    Hosts introduce the episode and briefly promote new merchandise before diving into the case.

  2. 1:21
    Unveiling the Unsettling Video Evidence

    The hosts discuss the discovery of video clips that shed light on Sonia’s situation and set the stage for analysis.

  3. 3:54
    Sonia’s Private Attempts to Escape

    The discussion shifts to Sonia’s efforts to contact a trusted friend and the challenges she faced in doing so.

  4. 5:47
    Analyzing Sonia’s On-Camera Confession

    The hosts break down the first clip, examining Sonia’s demeanor and the implications of her statements.

  5. 8:00
    Speculating on Dwayne Hall’s Motives and Actions

    The hosts speculate on Hall’s intentions, his possible use of the videos, and the legal implications of his behavior.

  6. 10:00
    Closing Reflections and Final Thoughts

    The hosts wrap up the episode, reflecting on the complexities of the case and the emotional toll it has taken on all involved.

  7. 22:14
    Debating Consent and Coercion in the Second Video

    The hosts analyze the second clip, debating whether Sonia was coerced or willingly participating in the recorded interaction.

  8. 29:47
    Text Messages Reveal a Shift in Sonia’s Mindset

    The conversation examines Sonia’s text messages, highlighting her growing doubts and the possibility of a change of heart.

  9. 43:02
    Ginger Stein’s Public Defense of Dwayne Hall

    The episode covers Ginger Stein’s interview, where she defends her husband’s actions and offers a different perspective on the case.

  10. 46:34
    Ginger’s Legal Strategy and Changing Mindset

    The hosts discuss Ginger’s role as Dwayne’s lawyer and her shifting stance amid new evidence.

  11. 47:38
    Media Portrayals of Ginger and Dwayne

    Analysis of Ginger’s statements in the Daily Telegraph and her portrayal in podcasts.

  12. 59:26
    Victimhood and Public Perception

    Debate over whether Ginger should be labeled a victim and how she frames her narrative.

  13. 1:01:52
    Jefferson Evans and Family Dynamics

    Uncovering the relationships among Ginger, Dwayne, Jefferson, and Rick Snyder.

  14. 1:08:27
    Dwayne’s Phone Call and Confessions

    Recounting the jail call where Dwayne reveals his motives and self‑justification.

Highlights

  • 2:07

    Analyzing the Airbnb Cellphone Videoinsight

    The hosts discuss the newly uncovered cellphone video taken by Dwayne Hall inside the Airbnb, showing a disheveled and injured Sonia Exelby discussing her self-worth while avoiding eye contact.

  • 12:36

    Sonia Admitting Physical Abusedata

    In the second video clip, Hall asks what is on Sonia's face, and she quietly responds that he has beaten her, highlighting her obvious discomfort and lack of genuine consent.

  • 29:47

    The Desperate Unsent Messagesstory

    Sonia attempted to send frantic messages via Discord explaining that Hall kept her phone, made it clear there was no way out, and forced her into terrifying conditions.

  • 42:36

    Ginger Stein Defending Her Husbandinsight

    Ginger Stein gave an interview defending Dwayne Hall, claiming he is not a monster and suggesting he snapped out of compassion because she had also asked him to end her life.

  • 47:38

    Infidelity Hurt More Than Murderdebate

    In a startling admission, Stein revealed that she was actually more hurt by her husband's infidelity with Sonia than by his alleged involvement in her death.

  • 1:14:59

    Hall Claiming Compassion and Loveinsight

    In a jailhouse phone call, Hall maintained he did nothing wrong and framed the horrific murder as an act of love and compassion for someone who wanted to die.

Quotes

  • “Sonia secretly flew from London to Gainesville on October 10th, 2025, where Hall picked her up and drove her to an Airbnb in isolated Reddick, Florida.”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 0:29
  • “Sonia's answers are anything but reassuring. I will tell you that.”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 4:45
  • “I think she said so herself. I've done this. People are nice to me, and I think they're being nice to me because they want to have sex with me, so I give them what they want.”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 10:59
  • “She tried to send these messages on Discord. And whether it was because she didn't have a United States cell phone plan, or because the service in the area wasn't reliable, there obviously wasn't.”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 29:23
  • “In a startling admission, Stein said she was more hurt by her husband's infidelity than by his alleged involvement in Sonia's death”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 47:38
  • “I had a bad feeling about that, I should have told you you weren't allowed to go”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 1:11:44
  • “I tried to do it in a sense that was compassionate and not being a freaking monster and just picking a victim and seducing them to do whatever and take advantage of them in any way, shape or form”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 1:13:00
  • “He was an amazing dad. He took care of me for at least eight years while my health was declining. He was an amazing dad”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 53:18
  • “And he activated a landline in Live Oak in 2010.”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 1:33:08
  • “We have Dwayne's close and trusting relationship with his friend, Rick Snyder.”
    Stephanie Harlowe · 1:36:27
  • Helix 19:14–22:04
  • OneSkin 39:26–42:28

About this episode

Consider supporting and donating to The Kaylee Goncalves Foundation/Murder Has a Name here: https://www.murderhasaname.com/ There are some people who disappear all at once - One day, they're there, and the next day, they're gone. But sometimes, a person disappears slowly. So slowly that the people who love them don't realize what's happening until they look back and understand that they had been losing them for years. 32-year-old Sonia Exelby was the youngest of six children, and for much of Sonia's life, there were people who loved her very much. But somewhere along the way, Sonia began slipping away from them. At first, it looked like depression. Then isolation. She stopped going out, stopped answering invitations. Stopped letting people in. Until eventually, much of Sonia's world existed through a screen. Online, she could be whoever she wanted to be. She could talk to strangers about the things she was afraid to tell the people who loved her - but listening and helping are not always the same thing...

Transcript

0:00
1:52:31

21,912 words · 7 speakers

Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

Topics

  • Florida
  • Ohio
  • Anubis
  • Airbnb
  • Facebook
  • GoFundMe
  • The Daily Telegraph
  • Marion County
  • Chamber of Shadows
  • Gainesville

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