A Florida couple faces first-degree murder charges for allegedly kidnapping, torturing, and murdering a teenager they met through an online dating app.
Police believe Steven Gress, 35, and Michelle Brandes, 37, murdered 16-year-old Miranda Corsette. Corsette was reported missing on Feb. 24, and a witness contacted police on March 6 to report a possible kidnapping and murder.
Police said Corsette met Gress through a social media app and was lured to meet him on Feb. 14. After meeting with Gress initially, Corsette went home before later returning to Gress' home.
"[Corsette] remained with Gress and his domestic partner, Michelle Brandes at the home. On February 20th, a dispute occurred and she was beaten. Sometime between February 20th and February 24th, she was killed," police said. "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."
The argument that led to Corsette's death was over a piece of jewelry, WFLA-8 reported. During a court appearance, authorities said that Corsette was repeatedly beaten and held captive before finally being suffocated with plastic wrapped around her face.
"They just said I suffocated," Gress said during the court appearance, WFLA-8 reported. "Do not say anymore!" the station said a public defender exclaimed.
Originally published on Latin Times
