Florida authorities have arrested a man on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping in connection with the death of a woman from the United Kingdom who went missing last month.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) reported that 53-year-old Dwain Hall, of Ocala, was taken into custody on November 17 after investigators linked him to the homicide. Hall was already in jail for charges related to the victim’s stolen credit cards, including fraudulent use of credit cards and unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
According to FDLE, U.K. authorities contacted Florida investigators via INTERPOL on October 13 after the woman failed to board her return flight to England. A joint investigation by FDLE and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office led to the discovery of human remains on October 17 in the Marion Oaks area. The remains were later confirmed to be the missing woman’s, and her death was ruled a homicide.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass praised the investigation, noting the team’s “extraordinary speed and unwavering determination” in identifying a suspect. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods credited the arrest to strong cooperation between state and local law enforcement.
Multiple agencies assisted in the investigation, including the Gainesville Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Ohio State Patrol, and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary in the U.K.
The case is being prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit.
