Woman accused of double murder, ID theft
MINNEAPOLIS: Federal authorities yesterday dangled a reward of up to $US5000 ($NZ6800) for information leading to the arrest of a 56yearold southern Minnesota woman accused of killing her husband, fleeing the state and killing a woman in Florida in order to assume her identity.
Lois A. Riess, of rural Blooming Prairie, was last spotted in southern Texas, far from the Dodge County farm home where husband David Riess (54) was found dead in late March.
For anyone inspired by the reward offered by the US Mar shal’s Service, be warned: Riess is ‘‘considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached,’’ the reward announcement read. ‘‘Anyone who sees her should call 911.’’
Authorities said Riess could well be driving the car of the woman she’s accused of killing, Pamela Hutchinson (59), of Fort Myers Beach, Florida.
Authorities believe Riess, who fled Minnesota after allegedly shooting and killing her husband, targeted Hutchinson because the two women looked alike, then stole her identity after killing her. Police said the same gun was used in both slayings.
Lee County (Florida) Undersheriff Carmine Marceno said Riess ‘‘could look like anybody’s mother or grandmother. She smiles, yet she is a coldblooded killer’’.
Lois Riess transferred nearly $10,000 from her husband’s business account into his personal account and then forged his signature on three cheques to herself for $11,000, according to theft charges filed in Minnesota. She then allegedly fled the state in the family’s Cadillac Escalade, stopping at an Iowa casino on her way to Florida.
A snippet of surveillance video taken at a happy hour on April 5 at the Smokin’ Oyster Brewery in Fort Myers shows Lois Riess talking to Hutchinson.
Investigators said that after Riess befriended Hutchinson, she killed the woman and stole her credit cards, cash and car. Other surveillance showed Riess at Hutchinson’s home.
Court records in Minnesota showed Riess had been accused of taking more than $US78,000 from her disabled sister.