ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WKRC) – A Florida man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the death of a 16-year-old girl who authorities said was tortured for days before her body was dismembered and discarded.
Steven Gress, 35, entered the plea in the killing of Miranda Corsette. His plea was not part of an agreement with prosecutors, according to court records.
Authorities said Gress met Corsette through Grindr and brought her to his St. Petersburg home in February 2025.
According to investigators, Corsette was accused of stealing a ring and was repeatedly beaten over several days. Authorities said Gress sent photographs showing the teenager’s worsening injuries to several people.
Investigators said Corsette was eventually suffocated. After her death, Gress dismembered her body with a chainsaw, and her remains were placed in trash bags and later discarded in a dumpster about 50 miles away, according to authorities.
Gress confessed to participating in the abuse and dismemberment but previously told investigators that his girlfriend, Michelle Brandes, caused Corsette’s death, according to court documents.
Brandes has also been charged with murder and kidnapping and has pleaded not guilty.
During his plea hearing, Gress acknowledged that he faces at least life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors are also seeking the death penalty.
When the judge discussed the possible sentences, Gress laughed and said he would prefer execution to spending the rest of his life in prison.
Gress is scheduled to return to court Nov. 4 for the penalty phase of the case.