Forensics student on trial for murder in Airbnb ‘kill room’

Benjamin William Day, a forensics student, is on trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court for the murder of 24-year-old Maria Saceanu in Tividale, West Midlands. Prosecutors allege that Day lured Saceanu, a sex worker, to a rented Airbnb where he had meticulously prepared a ‘kill room’ inspired by the television series ‘Dexter’.

Evidence presented to the court suggests Day spent significant time preparing the site with plastic sheets, cleaning chemicals, and various tools. During the attack, Day reportedly inflicted 78 knife wounds on the victim. A forensic pathologist noted that many of these wounds were inflicted after death, and there were signs of attempted dismemberment.

The prosecution argues that Day’s plan to conceal the crime failed when he severely injured his own hand during the attempt to dismember the body. He subsequently contacted emergency services to seek medical assistance for his injury, leading to his arrest.

Day denies the murder charge. His defense is expected to argue self-defense, claiming that Saceanu attacked him after becoming frightened by the staged room, which he allegedly intended to use to film a ‘tribute’ to the show for social media.