Student Obsessed With 'Dexter' Arrested for Murder in 'Kill Room'

Chilling police bodycam footage has emerged showing the arrest of a forensic science student who murdered a sex worker in a meticulously prepared "kill room." The video was released after Benjamin Day, 20, pleaded guilty to the murder of Maria Saceanu, 24, just two days into his trial.

Day attempted to mislead arresting officers by claiming he had been attacked by a wild dog. The footage shows him with a heavily bandaged hand, which he injured during the brutal attack on Saceanu. He had stabbed her 78 times and then attempted to dismember her after luring her to an Airbnb property in Tividale.

"Where's the dog? Is it your dog?" one officer questioned Day. "No, it's just a wild dog," Day responded, wearing a khaki shirt reminiscent of the "Dexter" character. "It just attacked me."

He expressed relief at still having all four fingers intact before his story began to unravel. When asked about the gaffer tape on his hand, Day claimed he had purchased it, but struggled to recall where he bought it or the location of his car. An officer noted, "I'll be honest with you, your story doesn't quite check out."

Day's fabricated account of a wild animal attack failed to convince authorities. He was arrested around 3:40 a.m. on December 21, approximately 80 minutes after the landlord of the rental property reported finding blood on the stairs. The bodycam footage shows him on a gurney, where officers informed him of his arrest on suspicion of murder.

Detective Inspector Matt Marston of West Midlands Police stated that Day "planned this murder in meticulous detail, revealing he had an 'obsessive personality and had become obsessed with the character Dexter.'" The victim, Saceanu, was described as "defenseless" during the "pre-planned brutal attack."

Evidence at the scene indicated extensive preparation by Day. The room was lined with plastic sheeting stapled to the walls, and Day had donned an apron and a plastic visor. A knife roll containing several blades, a staple gun, and duct tape were also discovered. Prosecutor Rachel Brand noted that Day had intended to dispose of the body without detection but was apprehended when his plan went awry.

Day initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty during the trial. He is scheduled to be sentenced on December 4 and faces a life imprisonment sentence.