ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — City police said Friday that a 16-year-old girl was killed and that her body parts were put inside of a dumpster.
BELOW: Watch Friday afternoon's news conference about this case, as well as a Missing Child Alert issued for a 17-year-old
Authorities said 16-year-old Miranda Corsette was lured through a social media app to meet Steven Gress, 35, on Feb. 14. She returned to his home the next day, police said, and remained with Gress and his domestic partner, Michelle Brandes, at the home on 27th Avenue North.
“On Feb. 20, a dispute occurred and she was beaten,” police said in a news release. “Sometime between Feb. 20 and Feb. 24, she was killed.”
She was reported missing to Gulfport Police on Feb. 24.
Gress, according to police, put her body in a car and drove to a house at 12243 Mallory Drive in Largo. Evidence there indicated that the body was dismembered, driven to Ruskin and placed in a dumpster. Detectives are working to find the body but think the body may be in a landfill.
Gress is in custody, having been arrested on March 5 in a different case involving his domestic partner. Friday evening, police announced that he has been charged with first-degree murder in Corsette's death.
Michelle Brandes, the domestic partner of Gress, turned herself in to police Saturday. She is being charged with first degree murder.
"This is a horrific crime," said Police Chief Anthony Holloway. "We want to hold all responsible parties accountable."
Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Petersburg Police Dept. at 727-893-7780 or text SPPD + your tip to TIP411.
Gulfport Police, Largo Police, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and state and federal partners have been involved in the investigation.
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