St. Petersburg Police Press Release : – Missing Teenage Girl Kidnapping
On Thursday, March 6th, a witness contacted police and said they had information about a possible kidnapping and homicide involving a missing teen.
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 (DOB 7-1-89) 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. She was reported missing to Gulfport Police on February 24th.
Miranda remained with Gress and his domestic partner, Michelle Brandes (DOB 2-24-88) at the home. On February 20th, a dispute occurred and she was beaten. Sometime between February 20th and February 24th, she was killed.
Gress then put her body in a car and drove to a house at 12243 Mallory Drive in Largo.
Evidence at the Largo home indicates the body was dismembered, driven to Hillsborough County and placed in a dumpster at 2893 14th Avenue S.E., Ruskin. Detectives located the dumpster and are working to find the body.
Gress is in custody. He was already in jail on unrelated charges. Police arrested him on March 5th for pointing a harpoon at his domestic partner, and for possessing drugs.
As of yesterday, he also faces a kidnapping charge in the disappearance of Miranda Corsette. This is still a very active investigation and more charges are expected.
We are currently searching for his partner, Michelle Brandes. If anyone has information, please contact the St. Petersburg Police Dept. at 727-893-7780 or text SPPD + your tip to TIP411. (Photos Attached)
We’d like to thank the several agencies that are assisting with this investigation: Gulfport Police, Largo Police, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, state and federal partners.
St. Petersburg Police Dept Press Conference https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BCFWRbc7S
