MARION COUNTY, Fla. – An Ocala man was arrested after a woman from the United Kingdom was reported missing last month, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In a release, FDLE investigators said they received a request on Oct. 13 for help by U.K. authorities through INTERPOL about the missing woman, who was considered endangered.
According to the agency, she was supposed to fly back to England that same afternoon. However, investigators said there was evidence that she might not have intended to return.
A few days later, investigators said her remains were discovered buried in a shallow grave in Marion Oaks.
[BELOW: Human remains found in Marion Oaks, sheriff’s office says]
The discovery kicked off a homicide investigation, and on Monday, investigators said they arrested Dwain Hall, 53, of Ocala.
“Hall was already incarcerated on prior charges of fraudulent use of credit cards and unlawful use of a two-way communication device,” a release by FDLE reads. “The charges were tied to fraudulent use of the victim’s credit cards.”
In an arrest affidavit, investigators said Hall admitted to picking Exelby up from Gainesville Airport, driving her to an AirBnB, having sex with her, and being the last person to see her alive..
He also admitted to “having various communications” with the victim, where they discussed bondage and other morbid interests, the affidavit notes.
Furthermore, cell phone data revealed that Hall was in the area on Oct. 12 where the remains were later found, investigators added.
According to court records, Hall didn’t discuss any further details about what happened to the victim and wouldn’t answer whether he’d killed her.
But when investigators asked whether he could tell her family anything to give them closure, he reportedly said “he would tell them that she’s happy now because she got what she wanted,” the affidavit states.
Investigators said Hall now faces charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping, and he is held without bond.
“Releasing him would pose a grave danger to the safety of other potential members of the community,” the affidavit concludes.