A Florida man has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the killing of a 16-year-old girl whose remains were dismembered, prosecutors said.
Steven Gress, 35, lived at a home in St. Petersburg, according to court records.
The guilty plea was entered with no plea deal in place, court documents show.
By pleading guilty, Gress acknowledged facing a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison without parole, prosecutors said.
The state still retains the option to seek the death penalty against him, according to prosecutors.
When the judge explained that execution remained a possibility, Gress laughed in court. He told the judge he would rather be executed than spend the rest of his life in prison, records show.
Miranda Corsette, 16, met Gress online and went to his St. Petersburg home in February 2025, police said.
What followed was nearly a week of escalating abuse inside the residence, authorities said.
The abuse began after Gress’ girlfriend, Michelle Brandes, allegedly falsely accused the teenager of stealing a ring, according to authorities.
Corsette endured days of horrific abuse before she was killed and her remains dismembered, prosecutors said.
During the ordeal, Gress allegedly sent photographs documenting Corsette’s worsening condition to several people, investigators said.
Those recipients included the defendant’s own mother, investigators said. Nobody who received the photographs contacted law enforcement, authorities said.
After Corsette was killed, Gress admitted participating in the disposal of her remains, authorities said.
The group went out for food and mini golf while her remains were still inside their vehicle, investigators alleged.
The group then traveled roughly 50 miles to dispose of the body, investigators alleged.
Brandes is separately charged with murder and kidnapping, according to court records. She has pleaded not guilty, and her case remains pending.
Corsette’s family has also filed a civil lawsuit against Grindr, court records show.
The lawsuit alleges the platform failed to provide adequate safeguards against underage access. Those allegations are separate from the criminal prosecution, court documents state.
Gress is scheduled to return to court November 4 for the penalty phase.
No Comments yet!