Teenage girl kidnapped and dismembered by man she met on social media app | Law Enforcement Today

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Authorities with the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD) said that a 16-year-old girl was kidnapped and dismembered after meeting up with a man she met through a social media application.

According to NBC News, the girl, identified as Miranda Corsette was first reported missing to the Gulfport Police Department (GPD) on February 24th. On Thursday, March 6th, SPPD received a call from a witness who said they had information about "a possible kidnapping and homicide" involving the 16-year-old.

On Facebook, GPD said, "Through their investigation, detectives learned that 16-year-old Miranda Corsette was lured through a social media app to meet 35-year-old Steven Gress on February 14th. After meeting him the first time, she went home and then the next day she returned to his home, a duplex at 2708 27th Ave. N."

Police said that Corsette staying with Gress and his partner 37-year-old Michelle Brandes, at their home until a dispute occurred on February 20th. During that dispute, the teen was allegedly beaten. Investigators believe that Corsette was killed sometime between February 20th an February 24th, and that Gress drove her body to a house in Largo.

Police said, "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. Detectives located the dumpster and are working to find the body." On Wednesday, March 5th, Gress was arrested on suspicion drug possession and pointing a harpoon at his partner. 

He is now facing a kidnapping charge on connection with Corsette's disappearance, and has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her killing. His partner, Brandes, turned herself into police on Saturday, March 8th and remains in custody. She is being charged with first-degree murder. Authorities said, "This is still a very active investigation and more charges are expected."

CBS News reported that police in Gulfport said they have had previous encounters with Corsette before her death as she would frequently run away from home. She lived with her grandmother and was the mother of an 11-month-old baby.

Commander Mary Farrand, acting police chief for the city of Gulfport said, "The grandmother is her primary caregiver at this time. She said she normally comes home, so she doesn't report her missing every time she leaves. She just didn't come back in a timely manner this time."

The alleged argument that happened between Gress, Brandes, and Corsette was over missing jewlery. The teen was allegedly beaten over the missing jewlery. SPPD Chief Anthony Holloway said in a statement, "So, from the 20th through the 24th, she was beaten and tortured because they could not find this piece of jewerly."

The home that Gress allegedly dismembered Corsette at was owned by Brandes' mother. Police said physical evidence shows that Corsette was dismembered at that home. Holloway said, "This is a horrific crime. We want to ensure that we bring justice to Miranda."