Florida teen tortured, killed by couple after dating app meetup: police

The body of Miranda Corsette was discarded in a dumpster days after she was reported missing on Feb. 24, according to the St. Petersburg Police Department. 

"After meeting him the first time, [Corsette] went home and then the next day she returned to [Gress'] home," police said. 

Grindr did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 

"[Her grandmother] said she normally comes home, so she doesn't report her missing every time she leaves," Commander Mary Farrand, acting police chief for the city of Gulfport, said in a press conference. "[Corsette] just didn't come back in a timely manner this time."

On Feb. 20, Corsette, Gress and Brandes got into an argument over a missing ring that the couple believed Corsette had stolen, according to police. 

Gress and Brandes allegedly tortured Corsette repeatedly over the course of several days, eventually causing her to suffocate by stuffing a billiard ball in her mouth and wrapping her face with plastic wrap, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital. 

"From the 20th through the 24th, she was beaten and tortured, because they could not find this piece of jewelry," St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway said.

Authorities believe that Corsette was killed between Feb. 20 and Feb. 24. 

Following Corsette's murder, authorities allege that Gress transported her body to a house owned by Brandes' mother in nearby Largo, Florida. Evidence found at the home indicated that Corsette's body had been dismembered before Gress drove the remains to Hillsborough County and disposed of them in a dumpster, police said. 

On March 6, a witness reached out to police to report a possible kidnapping and homicide involving a missing teen, according to authorities. 

"Detectives located the dumpster and are working to find the body," St. Petersburg police said in a statement. 

A representative from the St. Petersburg Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that the investigation into Corsette's murder remains ongoing. 

Gress was already in police custody for weapons and drug offenses when police charged him with first-degree murder and kidnapping on March 7. The next day, Brandes turned herself in to police and was subsequently charged with first-degree murder. 

"This is a classic case of a vulnerable young lady who most likely sought attention online," Patrick McCall, a security expert at McCall Risk Group, told Fox News Digital. "This attention came from a man who easily preyed on her and who told her the right things, and she fell into his trap."

Gress' and Brandes' attorney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. 

"This is a horrific crime," Holloway said. "We want to ensure that we bring justice to Miranda. I want to say that we want to hold all of the responsible parties accountable." 

"A lot of times teens are preyed upon by people who will portray themselves as someone their age or express similarities to them to gain their trust," McCall said. "[Some signs include] being secretive with the phone, taking phone calls outside, hiding the phone, talking about a new friend or sudden interest in something they normally wouldn't be interested in that could relate to the person they are talking to. Usually, there is a tale or sign the child will slip out in conversation or in a behavior which deviates from their normal routine."