The 16-year-old Florida girl is said to have been invited, tortured and murdered by a man she met online and his partner. Authorities arrested 35-year-old Steve Gress and his partner, 37-year-old Michelle Brand, in connection with the brutal murder of Miranda Corsett.
Ms. Corsett, who lived with her grandmother in Gulfport, was reported missing on February 24, ABC News reported. Investigators later discovered that she was seduced through a dating app by Gres. Their first in-person meeting took place on February 14th. After spending the day at home, Duplex-Corsett, at 27th Avenue North in St. Petersburg, returned to her grandmother’s house.
She returned to Gres’ residence the next day and stayed there.
For almost a week, Ms. Corsett stayed with Gres and Brandes until the tension exploded on February 20th. The couple accused her of stealing the ring, which is said to have led to a violent conflict.
Authorities say Ms. Corsett was detained against her will for more than seven days, during which time she was brutal tortured. According to an arrest affidavit on Saturday, Gres and Brandes beat her repeatedly, eventually choking her by pushing a ball of billiards into her mouth and wrapping her around her face in plastic.
Investigators believe Ms. Corsett was killed between February 20th and February 24th, NBC News reported.
After the murder, Gres allegedly brought Ms. Corsett’s body to her house on Mallory Drive, Largo. Detectives later found evidence that her body was falling apart there. Gres and Brande are said to have since driven the artifact into Ruskin, Hillsboro County, and dumped it in the trash can at Sesch, 2893 14th Ave.
On March 6, nearly two weeks after the 16-year-old went missing, witnesses contacted police with important information about the lure and possible murder. St. Petersburg police have tracked Ms. Corsett’s movements and the suspect’s activities and launched an immediate investigation.
At the time of the witness report, Ms. Gres was already behind the bar with unrelated charges. He was arrested on March 5th for aggravated assault after allegedly pointing out Harpoon in Brandes. He was also facing charges of drug possession, resisting arrest and possessing methamphetamine and marijuana from the Tampa Bay Times.
After the murder investigation, Gress was formally charged with Ms. Corsett’s invitation and first-degree murder. When she surrendered to authorities on Saturday morning, police were actively searching for Brands. She is currently facing the same accusations as Gress – first-degree murder and indictment. Officials say the investigation remains active and additional claims could continue.
Police are working to recover their bodies, which is believed to be in the landfill at the moment.
Stephen Gres is currently being held without bail at Pinellas County Jail. A public defense counsel was appointed to represent him, and he entered a plea of innocence. Details of the court regarding Michelle Brandes have not been released yet.
Anyone with more information is advised to contact the St. Petersburg Police.
