A tragic crime scene in St. Petersburg where a gruesome murder took place.
A St. Petersburg woman, Michelle Brandes, has surrendered to police in connection with the first-degree murder of 16-year-old Miranda Corsette. The tragic case began when Corsette was reported missing after meeting Brandes’ domestic partner, Steven Gress, through a social media app. It escalated into violence, leading to Corsette’s tragic death. Brandes and Gress are now facing serious charges, prompting community concern about social media dangers for youth.
In a shocking turn of events, a 37-year-old woman from St. Petersburg has surrendered to local authorities in connection with the first-degree murder of a missing teenager. Michelle Brandes turned herself into the St. Petersburg Police Department on Saturday, just a day after her domestic partner, Steven Gress, was arrested for the same crime.
The story began on February 24 when 16-year-old Miranda Corsette was reported missing. Just days earlier, Corsette had been lured to meet Gress, 35, through a social media dating app. Their first encounter took place at a duplex located on 27th Avenue North in St. Petersburg. Corsette went home after that meeting but returned to Gress’ residence the very next day, a decision that would lead to tragic consequences.
While at Gress’ home, a dispute erupted between him and Corsette between February 20 and February 24. Disturbingly, this conflict escalated to violence, resulting in the young girl being beaten. Tragically, it has been reported that Corsette was ultimately killed during this same timeframe, with Gress at the center of the investigation.
After taking Corsette’s life, Gress allegedly resorted to dismembering her body. He placed her remains inside a car and transported them to a residence on Mallory Drive in Largo. Law enforcement detectives have since uncovered evidence that suggests the gruesome act of dismemberment occurred at that very location.
Following this, Gress made the chilling decision to discard Corsette’s remains in a dumpster located on the 2800 block of 14th Avenue SE in Ruskin. Authorities have located the dumpster, and ongoing efforts are underway to retrieve Corsette’s remains, providing her family with the closure they desperately need.
Witnesses have come forward to reveal Gress had a history of troubling behavior; he was reportedly known to threaten his domestic partner, Brandes, with a harpoon gun and had a history of drug possession. What makes the situation even more alarming is that Gress was already in police custody for pointing a harpoon at Brandes before being charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder.
Both Brandes and Gress are now facing grave charges related to Corsette’s murder. St. Petersburg Police Chief has taken this opportunity to urge parents to remain vigilant regarding their children’s interactions on social media. The alarming reality is that social media can sometimes be a dangerous playground for young minds.
It is heartbreaking to note that Corsette was a young mother, having an 11-month-old baby at the time of her disappearance. As the investigation continues, community members are left grappling with the reality of a life lost too soon and family ties shattered by violence.
Gress made an initial court appearance on Saturday morning, where he was ordered to be held without bond. As authorities work tirelessly to piece together this tragic case, the community remains on edge, hoping for justice in the face of overwhelming sorrow.
The specter of youth, social media, and unspeakable violence hangs heavy over St. Petersburg, and the coming weeks will undoubtedly reveal more about this grim situation. As the investigation unfolds, our thoughts remain with Miranda Corsette’s family during this devastating time.
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