Florida – A Florida couple is behind bars and charged with the murder of a girl who they lured into their home last month. Authorities said 35-year-old Stteven and his 37-year-old partner, MicheIIe, have been arrested and charged with the murder of 16-year-old Mirada. Authorities say the couple held the girl captive for over a week, brutally beating her before ultimately suffocating her.
The ordeal began on February 14, 2025, when the victim connected with the defendant through a sociaI media platform. She visited his residence that day and returned the following day, choosing to stay with the couple. However, what started as an acquaintance quickly turned into a nightmare.
According to a police affidavit, between February 20 and 24, the couple became convinced that the girl had stolen a piece of jewelry from them. In response, they subjected her to relentless physical abuse. The affidavit details how they “held the victim against her will for more than a week and tortured her by repeatedly beating the victim and eventually stuffing a billiard ball into her mouth and wrapping her face with plastic wrap, causing her to suffocate to death.
Investigators say the torture escalated over time, and the girl suffered multiple injuries before she was ultimately killed. After suffocating her, the defendant transported the girl’s body to a property, owned by his girlfriend’s mother. There, the couple dismembered her remains and disposed of them in a dumpster.
The case gained traction when the victim’s grandmother reported her missing on February 24. A key breakthrough came on March 6, when a witness provided crucial information about a possible kidnapping and homicide. Detectives followed the lead, gathering evidence and linking the couple to the girl’s disappearance.
Police arrested the 35-year-old man (SEE PHOTO) on unrelated charges, but as the investigation progressed, he was formally charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. His girlfriend, realizing authorities were closing in, surrendered to law enforcement on March 8. She is also charged with first-degree murder.
This disturbing case has shaken the community and highlights the dangers of online interactions. Authorities in Florida are urging parents and guardians to remain vigilant and aware of their children’s online activities to prevent similar tragedies.