A forensics student has admitted stabbing a sex worker to death inside a “plastic-lined kill room” inspired by US TV drama Dexter. Benjamin Day, 20, a University of Worcester undergraduate, pleaded guilty to murdering Maria Saceanu at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Guilty Plea at Wolverhampton Crown Court
Day, who was 19 at the time of the killing, changed his plea to guilty after discussions with his barrister on the second day of his trial. He had been expected to claim self-defence, asserting he set up the room to film a “tribute” to Dexter for TikTok.
Prosecutor Rachel Brand KC said Day had “lured” Saceanu, a sex worker, to the room where he had amassed items used to kill her and dispose of evidence. She said he spent several hours preparing the kill room at rented premises in the Tividale area of the West Midlands, around 20 miles from his home in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Details of the Killing
Prosecutors alleged Day changed into “Dexter” clothing and copied the character’s “kill room” setup, lining the walls and floor with plastic sheeting. He inflicted 78 knife wounds on Saceanu, the court was told.
Day tried to dismember the victim’s body after the killing but “had to abandon that gruesome task” because he cut his left hand. He texted the Airbnb’s landlord at 01:05 asking to extend his stay to a week, and later told police his hand injury was caused by a fox or dog.
Discovery and Arrest
A resident who booked a different room reportedly saw a trail of blood and notified the landlord, who called police. Officers found Saceanu’s body, and Day was arrested on suspicion of murder while in a hospital bed.
Day was arrested wearing a khaki top resembling one worn by Dexter’s title character. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on December 4.
