In this digital age, parents have been warned of the dangers unchecked social media access can pose for kids. Predators have sneaky ways of targeting innocent kids and teenagers despite precautions put into place. Recently, that nightmare became reality when a 16-year-old was allegedly killed and dismembered by a man she met on social media.
A Florida man, Steven Gress, 35, and his partner, Michelle Brandes, 37, were arrested in connection with the disappearance of Miranda Corsette, 16, and charged in her death. The details of the case are horrific.
Corsette was lured through social media.
On March 6, 2025, a witness contacted the St. Petersburg Police Department about the “possible kidnapping and homicide” of a missing teenager, according to a news release posted by the department on Facebook.
Detectives learned that Corsette was allegedly “lured through a social media app” to meet Gress on February 14. After she met with him the first time, she went home but returned to his duplex the next day. Corsette was reported missing to the Gulfport Police Department on February 24.
Allegedly, a dispute broke out.
Corsette allegedly stayed with Gress and his partner, Brandes, at his home. On February 20, “a dispute occurred and she was beaten,” according to the news release. Police suspect that sometime between February 20 and 24, Corsette was killed.
The 16-year-old was not only killed but also dismembered.
Allegedly, Gress placed Corsette’s body in a car and drove to a house in Largo.
“Evidence at the Largo home indicates the body was dismembered, driven to Hillsborough County and placed in a dumpster at 2893 14th Ave. S.E., Ruskin,” the St. Petersburg Police Department noted in the release. “Detectives located the dumpster and are working to find the body.”
According to police, Corsette was the mother of an 11-month-old child, Fox 13 News reported. She was homeschooled and lived with her grandmother because her parents died.
Interestingly, Gress was first arrested on unrelated charges.
On March 5, Gress was arrested and jailed on unrelated charges: for allegedly pointing a harpoon at his partner and possessing drugs. He also faced a kidnapping charge in light of Corsette’s disappearance. In an update from the St. Petersburg Police Department, Gress also has been charged with first-degree murder.
Brandes has since been arrested as well.
Meanwhile, police searched for Brandes until she turned herself in on March 8. She also has been charged with first-degree murder.
“This is a horrific crime,” St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway said during a news conference, per Fox 13 News. “We are still investigating it, and we want to make sure we bring justice for Miranda. We will look at every piece of evidence that we can find. I want to say, we want to hold all responsible parties accountable.”
