Miranda Corsette's estate files a wrongful-death lawsuit against Grindr, the app through which she met her killer. The estate trying to hold the app responsible for the teen's death after being introduced to a male adult. Grindr argued the dispute should go to arbitration, rather than to a trial. Now a judge has agreed.

A 12-page ruling by U.S. District Judge Tom Barber states that Corsette, in creating the Grindr account, "had agreed to terms and conditions that included arbitration of legal disputes." Barber ruled that when Corsette electronically signed to create her account, an agreement exits that “broadly covers any dispute, claim, or controversy between Corsette and Grinder, agreeing to resolve disputes through arbitration.”

This despite the fact that the 16-year-old was restrained, beaten and tortured for several days. Corsette was suffocated when a pool ball, wrapped in a sock was shoved into her mouth, and then her head and face were wrapped in saran wrap.

The judge said “Corsette agreed to Grindr’s terms of service each of three times she created Grindr accounts.”

Court documents reveal that at least six people knew Steven Gress, 37, and Michelle Brandes, 35, were holding Miranda against her will before she died.

Gress allegedly sent photos of Miranda, visibly bruised, to three people, including his mother. She told police she did not view the images but admitted her son tried to talk to her about Miranda. She said she shut down the conversation, telling him she didn’t want to know.

At least two neighbors reportedly saw Miranda in distress at the home. A woman who lived with Gress and Brandes witnessed a week of torture, the murder, and the clean-up that followed.

The documents also outline a detailed timeline, including a trip to celebrate Brandes’ birthday at a Popeyes restaurant—while Miranda’s dismembered remains allegedly sat in Gress’ trunk.

Joining Nancy Grace today:

Dave Horton - Landlord of Gress' home
Andrea Lewis - Partner at Searcy Law in Pam Beach, Florida, Former Felony Prosecutor at Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office, and President of the Palm Beach County Bar Association,
Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author of "Deal Breaker,” and featured in hit show: "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, X: @DrBethanyLive
Paul Duffy - Senior consultant with Group 9 Security Consulting and Training, Former Deputy and Inspector with the United States Marshals Service
Anna Sonoda - Child Grooming Expert, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Author: “Duck Duck Groom: Understanding How a Child Becomes a Target”
Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), and NEW Podcast: "Mayhem in the Morgue" [launching on April 7]; Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University)
Dan Sullivan - Staff Writer, Tampa Bay Times; X @TimesDan, BlueSky: timesdan.bsky.social, Instagram: @timesdansullivan

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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