Lois Ann Riess (née Witte; born February 28, 1962) is an American convicted murderer and former fugitive. In 2018, she gained nationwide notoriety after being accused of killing her husband in Minnesota and a woman in Florida, prompting a cross-country manhunt. Nicknamed the "Killer Grandma" and "Losing Streak Lois" by media outlets, Riess's case drew widespread attention due to its shocking details and her ability to elude law enforcement for weeks.
After leaving Minnesota, Riess traveled to Florida, where she was accused of befriending Pamela Hutchinson, a woman who bore a physical resemblance to her. Riess later murdered Hutchinson in an attempt to steal her identity and continue her flight from authorities. Using Hutchinson's identification and credit cards, she traveled through multiple states before being apprehended in South Padre Island, Texas, in April 2018.
Riess was convicted of both murders and was given 2 life in prison sentences (one for each murder) without the possibility of parole. Her case has been the subject of an HBO documentary, podcasts, and in-depth media coverage, highlighting issues such as identity theft, elder criminality, and the challenges of tracking fugitives. Riess has been serving two life sentences at Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee since 11 August 2020.
Early life.
Lois Riess was born in Rochester, Minnesota, in the early 1960s. She was the youngest of five children in a family marked by significant challenges. Her mother, Donna, struggled with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, while her father, William "Bill" Witte, was described as inattentive and frugal. The household lacked stability and warmth, with limited demonstrations of affection or guidance. Despite these difficulties, Lois and her siblings developed close bonds, supporting one another through adversity.
Riess married David Riess at the age of 20, and the couple settled in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, after relocating from their hometown of Rochester, building what appeared to be a stable life together. They had three children: two sons and a daughter and operated a worm farm business, which provided a modest but steady income. Riess was known to be an avid gambler,that eventually grew into a gambling addiction.
In 2015, authorities in Dodge County, Minnesota, initiated an investigation into Riess after evidence emerged that she had misappropriated tens of thousands of dollars from her disabled sister's accounts. Court documents revealed that Riess exploited her guardianship role, siphoning money to fuel her gambling habit. An audit uncovered specific transactions, including payments to a deceased relative, withdrawals for personal "guardian fees" totaling $8,500, and $15,000 allocated as supposed gifts to nieces and nephews. Much of the stolen money was traced to casino expenditures, aligning with Riess's well-documented gambling addiction.
In September 2015, a social worker filed an emergency petition to revoke Riess's guardianship after these discrepancies came to light. Although law enforcement considered criminal charges for felony theft, no prosecution followed at that time. Instead, a civil judgment was issued in 2017, ordering Riess to repay $100,534 to her sister. This amount remained unpaid as of her later criminal activities in 2018, according to court records.
Crimes.
Murder of David Riess.
David Riess was found dead on March 23, 2018, at their home in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota. The 54-year-old was discovered by authorities after concerned family members reported they had not heard from him in several days. Upon investigation, David was found with multiple gunshot wounds, and his death was quickly ruled a homicide. Lois Riess was identified as the primary suspect after she went missing shortly after the murder, along with her husband's vehicle and significant funds from his bank account.
Authorities determined that Lois Riess had forged David's signature on checks and withdrawn $11,000 from his account before fleeing the state. Evidence collected at the scene suggested the crime was premeditated, with Lois allegedly planning to use the stolen funds to finance her escape. Neighbors and acquaintances described David as a kind and well-liked man, with no prior indications of trouble in the marriage. However, Lois's escalating gambling debts was considered potential motives for the crime.
Murder of Pamela Hutchinson.
Pamela Diane Sellers Hutchinson was a 59-year-old native of Columbus County, North Carolina.
After leaving Minnesota, Lois Riess was captured on surveillance video at Smokin' Oyster Brewery in Fort Myers Beach. On April 5, 2018, she murdered 59-year-old Pamela Hutchinson in a rental condo located in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Hutchinson was visiting the area to help a friend scatter her late husband's ashes and on vacation when she encountered Riess. Investigators determined that Riess targeted Hutchinson because they shared a similar physical appearance, intending to steal her identity to evade authorities. Riess befriended Hutchinson, gaining her trust through friendly interactions and social outings in the days leading up to the murder. The relationship appeared to be amicable, with Hutchinson reportedly unaware of Riess's criminal intentions.
Riess shot and killed Hutchinson in the victim's condo, where her body was later discovered with bullets in her back and chest a week later by Maintenance staff, investigating a water-related problem in the building, had been conducting door-to-door checks when they detected a strong, unpleasant odor emanating from the unit, indicating a serious issue. After the murder, Riess stole several of Hutchinson's belongings, including her identification, credit cards, and vehicle, which she used to aid her escape. Investigators believed that Riess meticulously planned the crime to assume Hutchinson's identity as part of her effort to avoid detection following the murder of her husband in Minnesota.
Fugitive and arrest.
Following the murder, Riess was captured on surveillance footage using Hutchinson's identification and credit cards to make various purchases. Riess also drove Hutchinson's white Acura TL across state lines. Riess evaded law enforcement for weeks, traveling across the southern United States and staying in various hotels and casinos, while her case was featured on programs such as "Dateline NBC and ABC's 20/20". The stolen items and vehicle played a crucial role in helping authorities trace Riess's movements. 
On the night of April 19, 2018, Riess was arrested and taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement at a local restaurant called Sea Ranch in South Padre Island, Texas, a coastal town situated about 27 miles from the Mexican border. She was sitting alone at a restaurant having a drink when authorities approached her. Her capture followed a tip from an individual who recognized her from news reports while she was at a local restaurant. She was taken into custody without incident and extradited to Florida to face charges. Authorities recovered the white Acura TL taken from Hutchinson, along with several forms of identification belonging to the victim. Two handguns were also discovered in the motel room where Riess was reportedly staying in South Padre Island. Prior to her arrest, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office in Minnesota released surveillance footage from a gas station in Northwood, Iowa, recorded the previous month. The video showed Riess purchasing a sandwich and asking for directions heading south out of the state. 
Legal proceedings.
After her arrest, Riess was held in Texas before being extradited to Florida to face charges for the murder of Pamela Hutchinson. In December 2019, Riess pleaded guilty in Florida to four charges, including first-degree murder, grand theft, and identity theft, in connection with Hutchinson's death. In exchange for her guilty plea, the state withdrew its pursuit of the death penalty, and Riess was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The Florida trial also resolved any potential appellate issues, ensuring she would remain incarcerated for life.
After her sentencing in Florida, Riess was extradited to Minnesota to face charges for the murder of her husband. She pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in Minnesota in 2020, receiving another life sentence without the possibility of parole. During her court appearance, Riess expressed remorse to her late husband's family, acknowledging the pain caused by her actions. The prosecution underscored the calculated nature of Riess's crimes, highlighting her use of the same firearm for both murders and her efforts to evade capture through identity theft.
Media coverage and legacy.
Riess is currently incarcerated in a Florida state prison, serving her life sentences.