Miranda Corsette, St Petersburg, Florida teen killed, dismembered after being lured by man on dating app. Steven Gress is in custody as authorities now search for the man’s girlfriend, Michelle Brandes who they believe also participated in the victim’s downfall.
Looking for love in the wrong places … A missing 16-year-old St Petersburg girl was killed and dismembered after meeting a man on social media, according to Florida authorities.
On Thursday, March 6th, a witness contacted police and said they had information about a possible kidnapping and homicide involving a missing teen.
Detectives learned that 16-year-old Miranda Corsette was lured through a dating app to meet 35-year-old man, Steven Gress on Valentine’s Day.
The unknown dangers and individuals hiding behind social media
After meeting him, she went home and then the next day she returned to his home according to WSAZ.
Miranda remained with Gress and his girlfriend, 37-year-old Michelle Brandes at the home.
It’s what happened next that terrified authorities and the girl’s family who reported her missing to Gulfport Police on Feb. 24.
On February 20, a dispute occurred over a missing ring and Corsette was ‘brutally beaten’ to death sometime between Feb 20. and Feb.24, 10 Tampa Bay reported.
Gress is alleged to have put the teen’s body in a car and driven her remains to a house in Largo. Recovered evidence indicates the girl’s body was dismembered, driven to Hillsborough County and placed in a dumpster.
Detectives located the dumpster and are working to find the body, Chief Anthony Holloway with the St Petersburg Police Department said during a Friday news conference.
‘I just want to remind all the parents out there please, please, I’m begging you, please, make sure you know what your kids are doing on social media,’ said Chief Holloway. Adding, ‘and to the kids also, if someone is contacting you who is not a family member please let your parents know.’
Search for missing teen’s remains
Gress is in custody, where he was already in jail on unrelated charges.
Police arrested him on March 5th for pointing a harpoon at his girlfriend and for possessing drugs.
Along with first degree murder Gress also faces a kidnapping charge in the disappearance of Miranda, ABC Action News reported.
As of now, police are currently searching for the girl’s remains along with missing woman, Miranda Brandes who they believe to have participated in Corsette’s abduction and murder.
‘Michelle, if you’re out there we’re trying to tell you to turn yourself in because we will find you sooner or later,’ said Chief Holloway.
Miranda was home-schooled and lived with her grandmother.
If anyone has information about her whereabouts, please contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.
