Police: Video shows slaying suspect talking to future victim

Published 5:11 pm Monday, April 16, 2018

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — Newly released surveillance video shows a woman in a Florida bar smiling and talking with a fellow patron whom police say she later killed so she could steal her identity.

The video released by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office shows 56-year-old Lois Riess of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, talking to 59-year-old Pamela Hutchinson April 5 at the Smokin’ Oyster Brewery in Fort Myers Beach.

Authorities say she may have targeted Hutchinson because the two women looked alike.

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The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warrant for Riess’ arrest. She is wanted for murder, grand theft of a motor vehicle and grand theft and criminal use of personal identification, according to authorities.

In Minnesota, Riess faces a second-degree murder charge in the murder of her husband, David Riess, whose body was found in their Blooming Prairie home on March 23. He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Dodge County authorities allege that she also forged her husband’s name on checks that she later cashed, after transferring funds from his accounts into hers.

Authorities believe Riess was in south Florida as early as April 2.

Hutchinson’s body was found April 9 in a condominium at Marina Village at Snug Harbor, in Fort Myers Beach. Hutchinson is from Bradenton, Florida. Authorities said Hutchinson also died of multiple gunshot wounds and that the murder weapon was the same weapon that was used to kill David Riess.

Riess remains at large. Authorities say she stole Hutchinson’s car, which has been seen in Louisiana and Texas.

Lee County Undersheriff says while Riess “may look like anyone’s mother or grandmother, she’s an absolute cold-blooded murderer.”

A tip line has been established; anyone with information about Riess’ whereabouts should contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, at 1-877-996-6222. Callers can remain anonymous.