In a disturbing revelation from St. Petersburg, police have announced the tragic fate of Miranda Corsette, a 16-year-old girl who went missing last month. The St. Petersburg Police Department, through detailed investigation, determined that Corsette was lured through social media, subsequently killed and dismembered. According to WFLA, the authorities have charged 35-year-old Steven Gress with kidnapping and first-degree murder in her disappearance.
At a press conference, St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway disclosed, in a statement obtained by WTSP, "All the parents out there — please, please, I'm begging you — please make sure you know what your kids are doing on social media." Gress supposedly made contact with Miranda via a social media platform on February 14th and arranged to meet her at his residence. The investigation, which involved tips from the community, led detectives to believe that Miranda was beaten around February 20 and 24, last Monday, over a dispute regarding some missing jewelry.
Gress and his domestic partner, Michelle Brandes, are accused of hiding the teenager's body, which they allegedly drove to a house on Mallory Drive in Largo. There, the police believe her body was dismembered. As communicated by Tampa Bay Times, the remains were then dumped in a Ruskin trash bin. At this time, authorities are making efforts to recover Miranda's body, which they suspect might be located in a Hillsborough County landfill.
While Gress is in custody for unrelated charges, including drug possession and brandishing a harpoon at Brandes, police are enhancing their charges against him to include first-degree murder in Miranda's death. Neighbor Kathy Rue, speaking to WFLA, expressed shock about the allegations, saying, "I never thought this guy has the capabilities to do what they allegedly say he did." Meanwhile, the police are actively seeking Brandes and urging anyone with information about her whereabouts to come forward.
The St. Petersburg Police Department takes this case as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking on social media and urges families to be vigilant. If anyone has information that could aid the ongoing investigation, please contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780 or send a tip via text to TIP411 with "SPPD" included in the message. The community, while rocked by this heinous crime, is mobilizing to hold all responsible parties accountable for their actions and searching for justice for Miranda Corsette.
