A twenty-year-old forensic science student in the United Kingdom has admitted to murdering a twenty-four-year-old woman in an Airbnb room that he allegedly prepared to resemble the killing scenes from the American crime drama Dexter, stabbing her seventy-eight times before attempting to dismember her body.

Benjamin William Day changed his plea to guilty on the second day of his trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court on October 6. According to prosecutors, Day had meticulously planned the murder of Maria Saceanu, whom he contacted through a website using a burner phone. He prepared the rented accommodation in Tividale, West Midlands, by lining the walls, floor, and bed with plastic sheeting secured with staples, while also gathering an apron, a plastic visor, duct tape, and cleaning chemicals.

The court heard that Day had compiled a shopping list on his phone in November 2025 detailing items needed for the attack, including knives, scissors, plastic sheeting, disposable gloves, cleaning products, and a staple gun. Prosecutors stated that Day intended to kill Saceanu, dispose of her body, and destroy evidence to evade detection.

Saceanu, who was originally from Romania, suffered seventy-eight knife wounds during the attack. A Home Office pathologist testified that she likely died from neck injuries that damaged her carotid arteries, while several wounds to her hands indicated she had tried to defend herself. Many of the injuries were inflicted after her death, and investigators noted that Day attempted to dismember the body before abandoning the effort after injuring his own hand.

Day left the property during the early hours of December 21, 2025, and later called emergency services to seek medical attention for his hand injury. Body-camera footage shown in court captured him in a police vehicle with his hand wrapped in duct tape, falsely telling officers that an animal such as a fox or wild dog had attacked him near a bush.

Police suspicion grew when Day offered inconsistent explanations regarding his whereabouts and the duct tape. Authorities were simultaneously alerted to the Airbnb after another occupant discovered blood and notified the landlord, leading officers to discover Saceanu's body inside the bedroom. Day was subsequently arrested at a local hospital while wearing a khaki top similar to attire worn by the main character in Dexter.

Although the defense had initially anticipated arguing self-defence and claiming the room setup was meant for a TikTok tribute, Day ultimately changed his plea. He remains in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 4.