UK Forensic Student Obsessed With 'Dexter' Prepared Plastic-Lined Room for Woman He Stabbed 78 Times

Forensic science student Benjamin William Day, 20, has pleaded guilty to murdering 24-year-old Maria Saceanu after luring her to a rented room in the West Midlands that he had prepared with plastic sheeting for the attack.

Day, who was 19 when Saceanu was killed in December 2025, changed his plea during the second day of his trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday, 6 October. Prosecutors said he had spent hours preparing the room in Tividale before the murder.

The court heard that Day was obsessed with the US television drama Dexter, whose central character is a forensic scientist who secretly kills people he believes are criminals. Day had copied elements associated with the show, including preparing a plastic-lined room and wearing clothing similar to that of the fictional character.

Plastic-Lined Room Prepared for Attack

West Midlands Police said Saceanu was found lying beside a bed in the rented property after another resident discovered blood at the bottom of the stairs. The bedroom floor, walls and bed had been covered with plastic sheeting secured with staples. Police also found a canvas knife roll containing multiple knives, along with duct tape and a staple gun.

Prosecutors said Day had also brought an apron, plastic visor and cleaning materials to the property.

Saceanu suffered 78 knife wounds. Trial evidence indicated that many were inflicted after her death. A pathologist said she died from wounds to her neck that damaged major blood vessels, while injuries to her hands were consistent with attempts to defend herself. Day also began trying to dismember her body but injured his own hand and abandoned the attempt.

Day Gave Police a False Explanation

After leaving the property, Day injured his hand and later flagged down police officers. West Midlands Police said he told officers he had been attacked by a fox. Body-worn footage released by the force showed officers questioning his account before he was detained. He was taken to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley and arrested there.

Police later linked him to the rented property, where Saceanu's body had been discovered. Prosecutors said Day had initially maintained that Saceanu attacked him first. He ultimately abandoned that account and pleaded guilty to murder during the trial.

The CPS said forensic and pathology evidence were central to the prosecution case and that Day's guilty plea spared Saceanu's family the trauma of a prolonged trial.

Dexter Obsession and Murder Planning

Detective Inspector Matt Marston, who led the investigation, said Day had an 'obsessive personality' and had become obsessed with Dexter. He said the murder had been planned in 'meticulous detail' and described the explanation Day gave officers for his hand injury as a fabricated story.

Day, of Yeadon Close, Redditch, had been studying forensic science at university. He had previously studied journalism before changing his course, according to reports from the trial.

The CPS confirmed that Day will be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 4 December 2026. A murder conviction in England and Wales carries a mandatory life sentence. The sentencing judge will determine the minimum term Day must serve before he can be considered for release.

Day's guilty plea means the court will not hear a full contested trial over the circumstances of Saceanu's death. The case has instead centred on evidence showing how he prepared the rented room, carried out the attack and attempted to conceal what had happened.