ST. PETERSBURG, FL – A Florida couple stands accused of the gruesome murder of a teenage girl, whom they allegedly enticed to their home through an online dating platform before torturing, suffocating, and dismembering her over a missing piece of jewelry.
Steven Gress, 35, and his partner, Michell Brandes, 37, have been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping related to the death of 16-year-old Miranda Corsette. Authorities reported that Gress initially met the girl on a dating app and brought her to his residence in St. Petersburg on February 14. After safely returning home that day, Miranda came back the next, and it was her last visit.
The couple’s violent actions were provoked by a confrontation about some lost jewelry, said St. Petersburg police Chief Anthony Holloway. This led to Miranda enduring a week of brutal torture at the hands of Gress and Brandes.
During Gress’ initial court appearance, a judge outlined how the victim was not only beaten repeatedly but ultimately suffocated with plastic wrap. Gress and Brandes then transported her body approximately 15 miles to Largo, where detectives suspect she was further desecrated before being disposed of in a dumpster 55 miles across Tampa Bay. Although police have found the dumpster, the search continues in a nearby landfill for Miranda’s remains.
The ordeal began to unfold when Miranda’s grandmother, her legal guardian after the loss of her parents, reported her missing on February 24. Miranda, described by police as a frequent runaway dealing with mental health and substance abuse challenges, had an 11-month-old child. Historically, after disappearing, she would return home—this time, tragically, she did not.
On the following Thursday, a pivotal tipster came forward with information about the alleged kidnapping and murder. In a twist, police discovered Gress was already in custody for unrelated charges of possessing drugs and wielding a harpoon at Brandes. This revelation led detectives to untangle the disturbing series of events, resulting in Brandes surrendering to authorities on Saturday.
During a disordered court scene, Gress spoke out of turn, attempting to dispute the suffocation allegations before his public defender intervened. He was also seen anxiously inquiring about Brandes’ whereabouts, to which the judge curtly advised consultation with his lawyer.
Both Gress and Brandes are currently held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
