BLOOMING PRAIRIE, Minn. - Authorities continue to search for a Dodge County woman who's been missing since the shooting death of her husband late last month, and now investigators have linked her to a murder in Florida.
At a news conference Friday morning Lee County Undersheriff Carmine Marceno told reporters that 56-year-old Lois Riess is wanted for murder in the death of a Fort Myers Beach woman. He said that 59-year-old Pamela Hutchinson was found in her luxury condominium shot to death, the home ransacked and all of the victim's money, identification and credit cards taken. Marceno said detectives believe that Riess stole the victim's vehicle, a 2005 Acura TL with Florida license plate Y37TAA, and may be using Hutchinson's name as an alias.
"Further investigation revealed Mrs. Hutchinson was targeted by the suspect due to the similarities in their appearance," Marceno says.
The Undersheriff says Riess targets women who look like her, gain their confidence and then steals their identity. Local, state and federal investigators in Florida have watched hundreds of hours of surveillance video in an attempt to track Lois Riess, and believe she is currently somewhere near Corpus Christi, Texas. Authorities warn that she is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
Riess is currently wanted for felony theft, but authorities in Dodge County, Minnesota say she is the only suspect in the death of her husband, David Riess, who died of multiple gunshot wounds at his home on March 23. In his most recent case update, Sheriff Scott Rose announced second-degree murder charges are pending against the woman.
Lois Riess allegedly transferred nearly $10,000 from her husband’s business account into his personal account shortly after his death. She then allegedly forged David's signature on three checks written from his personal account to herself, totaling $11,000. Investigators added Lois Riess does not have check-writing authority for either account.
Lois Riess is 5’5”, 165 pounds with brown eyes and was last seen with light blonde hair, although she has altered her appearance in the past. She is known to frequent casinos. Anyone who's had any recent contact with Lois or any information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Dodge County Sheriff's Office at 507-635-6200.
