Prepared for several hours – 'Dexter' fan brutally killed a woman

A 19-year-old British forensic science student, Benjamin Day, has pleaded guilty to the murder of 24-year-old Maria Sachanu. He had pre-prepared a rented Airbnb property, covering the walls with plastic sheeting, and inflicted 78 stab wounds on the victim. After the murder, he attempted to dismember the body, cut his own hand, and was arrested by police.

In the UK, 19-year-old forensic science student Benjamin Day has pleaded guilty to the murder of 24-year-old Maria Sachanu. The crime was meticulously planned: Day rented a property through Airbnb in Tividale and spent several hours preparing the bedroom, covering the walls with plastic sheeting and securing it with staples. He lured the woman, who worked in the sex industry, into the prepared room and inflicted 78 stab wounds on her. After the murder, Day attempted to dismember the body but cut his own hand. He called emergency services and then stopped a police car, claiming he had been bitten by a fox or a wild dog. Police became suspicious and arrested him. The property owner reported bloodstains, and a search revealed the woman's body, as well as knives, a stapler, adhesive tape, an apron, a protective plastic shield, and cleaning products. Investigators determined that Day was obsessed with the main character of the TV series 'Dexter'. Initially, the defense planned to argue that he acted in self-defense and that the room was prepared for filming a TikTok video about the series, but on the second day of the trial, Day changed his plea and admitted guilt. West Midlands Police released footage of his arrest from December 21, 2025. Detective Inspector Matt Marston emphasized that the crime was meticulously planned and that the woman was deliberately lured. Day remains in custody.