Bradenton Woman Missing Since January Declared Dead; Brother Suspected in Disappearance

A Bradenton woman reported missing and endangered on January 31, 2024, has been declared dead by a Manatee County probate judge, according to a news release from the Bradenton Police Department. The body of Catherine Stirm, 67, has not been located, but investigators believe foul play was involved in her disappearance.

Detectives with the Manatee Homicide Investigative Unit suspect Catherine's brother, Scott Stirm, knew her death. Authorities believe she was likely dismembered and disposed of in an unknown location. Catherine, who worked for a home healthcare company, was last heard from on January 22, 2024. Concerned coworkers requested a welfare check when she failed to report to work the following day and attempts to contact her were unsuccessful.

Scott Stirm provided conflicting explanations for Catherine's absence, initially claiming she was hospitalized with COVID-19 before later stating she had traveled to Michigan. On January 29, 2024, a woman claiming to be Catherine called one of her coworkers, but the employee quickly realized it was not her and ended the call.

Manatee County deputies conducted welfare checks at Catherine’s home in the Fountain Lakes Condominium complex on January 29 and 30. Still, she was not found, and her car was missing from the parking lot. The vehicle was later discovered parked outside Scott’s residence at the Sawgrass Cove Apartment Complex in Bradenton.

Security footage from January 22 showed Catherine entering her brother’s apartment, but there was no evidence of her leaving. Investigators later reviewed footage of Scott struggling to carry large, heavy-duty bags from his apartment. On January 31, he was seen moving personal items from his apartment.

Following a search warrant on February 1, 2024, investigators recovered a hand saw, power saw, and cleaning products from Scott’s apartment. A subsequent search at the Manatee County landfill uncovered a knife, hatchet, and bloody clothing in a bag containing Scott's mail.

Later that day, detectives found Scott’s vehicle at a Days Inn in Brooksville. He was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his hotel room. Several handguns, ammunition, financial documents, and Catherine’s driver’s license were recovered from the scene.

While multiple items were tested for Catherine’s DNA, efforts by Scott to destroy evidence resulted in inconclusive tests. Although Catherine has been declared deceased, her case remains open, and authorities continue to seek information.

Anyone with information regarding Catherine or Scott Stirm is urged to contact Detective Jeff Beckley at 941-932-9356 or jeff.beckley@bradentonpd.com.