Chilling details emerge in murder of 16-year-old Miranda Corsette as Florida killer Steven Gress accepts death penalty

A Florida man has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping after a missing 16-year-old girl was held captive, suffocated and dismembered, according to court documents.

Steven Gress, 37, shared a St. Petersburg home with his girlfriend, Michelle Brandes, 38.

Miranda Corsette was only 16 years old when she connected with Gress through Grindr on Valentine’s Day 2025, prosecutors said.

She later went to the St. Petersburg home Gress shared with his girlfriend, according to prosecutors.

Gress accused the teenager of stealing a ring, authorities said.

Following the accusation, she was held captive and subjected to repeated abuse over several days, authorities said.

Gress photographed her worsening injuries and sent the images to other people, investigators said.

A pool ball wrapped inside a sock was forced into Miranda’s mouth, court documents state.

Plastic cling film was subsequently wrapped around her head and face, causing her to suffocate, authorities said.

Afterward, Gress transported Miranda’s body to the home of Brandes’ mother, investigators said.

Her remains were dismembered and decapitated with a chainsaw at the residence, investigators said.

Brandes allegedly helped bag the remains, according to authorities.

The group later traveled approximately 50 miles to Ruskin and discarded Miranda in a dumpster, authorities said.

The contents of the dumpster were ultimately incinerated, authorities said. Her remains have never been recovered.

Miranda was reported missing on February 24, 2025.

On March 6, a witness contacted St. Petersburg police with information that a missing teenager may have been kidnapped and lost her life.

Brandes surrendered the following day, while Gress was already in custody on unrelated charges, police said.

In July 2026, Gress told Pinellas County Judge Philip Federico, “I’ve been ready to plead guilty to this since last April. I’ll take the death penalty. I don’t want to go to trial.”

On August 19, Gress pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping without a plea agreement.

The defendant waived a jury determination of his sentence and requested that the judge decide the penalty, court records show.

Despite his guilty plea, Gress later stated that he did not personally take Miranda’s life. He acknowledged involvement in events leading to her death, according to court documents.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2026.

Miranda’s family has also filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Grindr, alleging the platform failed to implement adequate protections preventing minors from accessing its services.

Grindr disputes the claims and has sought arbitration under its terms of service. That civil dispute remains unresolved.

Brandes has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and kidnapping, claiming Gress threatened her into participating.

Her case remains pending.