A 20-year-old forensic science student from Redditch has pleaded guilty to the murder of a 24-year-old woman in an AirBnB in Sandwell.
Benjamin Day, then 19, had become obsessed with the US TV drama “Dexter” and lured 24-year-old Maria Saceanu to an AirBnB room in Tividale which he had lined with plastic sheeting.
Here, Day brutally murdered Maria, stabbing her 78 times.
Day had previously pleaded not guilty to murder but changed his plea to guilty during a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 6th October).
After a man renting a room at the property on Bancroft Road discovered blood at the bottom of the stairs in the early hours of 21st December 2025, the property landlord called West Midlands Police.
Officers discovered Maria in the bedroom, lying next to the bed, with multiple stab wounds.
The bedroom floor, walls and the bed had been lined with plastic sheeting which had been stapled to the wall. A canvas knife roll containing multiple knives was discovered, as well as a staple gun and duct tape.
Day had also amassed items including an apron, a plastic visor and cleaning materials.
Police bodycam footage of Day’s subsequent arrest also shows him wearing clothing similar to the “Dexter” title character.
After carrying out the murder, Day left the property and flagged down a police car, having sustained a hand injury. He told officers he had been attacked by a ‘wild dog’ or ‘a fox’ and taped together his wound with duct tape he had in his car, but they were suspicious of the truth of his story.
Major Crime Team Detective Inspector Matt Marston, who led the investigation, said: “Day had an obsessive personality and had become obsessed with the character Dexter. He planned this murder in meticulous detail.
“It was a pre-planned brutal attack on a defenceless woman lured to the room he had rented.
“Day had flagged down officers where he offered them a fabricated story about the reason why he had received an injury to his hand. Officers were suspicious and he was quickly detained.
“The details of this case shocked experienced officers and our thoughts continue to go out to the heartbroken family of Maria at this time.”
Day will be sentenced on 4th December.
