Tragic Online Encounter: Florida Couple Arrested for Kidnapping and Murder of Teen Girl

A 16-year-old girl from Florida, Miranda Corsette, was reported missing and later believed to have been kidnapped and killed by a couple she met online. Authorities arrested Steven Gress, 35, who is facing charges of kidnapping, and his partner, Michelle Brandes, 37, who turned herself in shortly after.

Both Gress and Brandes are now facing first-degree murder charges in connection with Corsette’s death. Police believe that the events leading to her death occurred between February 20 and February 24, following a conflict between them.

Corsette was reported missing on February 24 after a witness provided information about a potential kidnapping. Investigators found that she had met Gress through a social media app on February 14. After initially visiting him, she returned the next day and remained with him and Brandes.

After allegedly killing Corsette, Gress reportedly drove her body to a house in Largo, where evidence suggests that her remains were dismembered and later disposed of in a dumpster in Hillsborough County. Police are actively working to recover her body from the location.

Interestingly, Gress was already in jail on unrelated charges, which included pointing a harpoon at Brandes and drug possession, prior to being charged in Corsette’s case.

The investigation into this tragic situation is ongoing, and authorities expect further charges could be filed as new information arises. As of now, there is no publicly available information regarding legal representation for Gress or Brandes.