A forensics student fixated on the American television series Dexter has admitted to murdering a 24-year-old sex worker, whom he enticed to a plastic-covered “kill room” arranged within an Airbnb rental.
University of Worcester student Benjamin William Day was apprehended dressed in a Dexter-inspired khaki shirt after inflicting 78 stab wounds on Maria Saceanu and beginning to dismember her remains, a murder trial heard.
Day, aged 19 at the time of the slaying and now 20, altered his plea to guilty following consultations with his legal counsel on the second day of proceedings at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Prosecution details the kill room preparation
Presenting the prosecution’s case on Monday, barrister Rachel Brand KC revealed the accused dedicated several hours to preparing the so-called kill room at leased accommodation in Tividale, West Midlands, approximately 20 miles from his residence in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Day had been anticipated to argue self-defence, maintaining he constructed the room to record a “tribute” to Dexter for sharing on TikTok.
Guilty plea and sentencing date
However, following an hour’s postponement of proceedings on Tuesday, Day emerged from the cells to the dock and seemed to smirk as he acknowledged the court clerk and submitted a guilty plea. Day, attired in a dark suit and maroon patterned tie, was remanded in custody and faces sentencing on December 4.
