Lois Reiss has been arrested. Law enforcement received a tip that the wanted woman was in South Padre Island, Texas. It is believed that she was arrested at a restaurant Thursday around 8:25 p.m.
(ORIGINAL STORY:) Minnesota woman, Lois Riess, is wanted in connection with her husband’s death and the death of a Florida woman who resembled her. The 56-year-old was planning to steal the woman’s identity after killing David Riess, officials said Friday.
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Lois Riess, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, is accusing in the shooting death of Pamela Hutchinson, 59, of Bradenton, Florida, in an effort to assume her identity and eluded authorities.
Authorities were called to an area of Fort Myers Beach on Monday and found Hutchinson dead, with gunshot wounds. Authorities aren’t aware of any connection between the two women, but they believe Riess shot and killed Hutchinson to assume her identity.
“Ms. Hutchinson’s purse was found to be in disarray and all cash, credit cards and identification appeared to be removed,” Lee County Undersheriff Carmine Marceno said, adding: “Further investigation revealed that Ms. Hutchinson was targeted by the suspect due to the similarities in their appearance.” source
In March, officials performing a welfare check found David Riess’s body inside his home with multiple gunshots. They couldn’t determine how long he had been dead and Lois was nowhere to be found.
Riess is believed to be driving Hutchinson’s car, a white Acura TL with Florida license plate Y37TAA. The car has been seen in Louisiana and Corpus Christi, Texas, since Hutchinson died. Riess’ 2005 white Cadillac Escalade was found abandoned in a Florida park.
Riess is wanted in Florida for murder, grand theft of a motor vehicle and grand theft and criminal use of personal identification. Her current whereabouts are unknown.
Authorities say Lois was observed at Diamond Jo Casino in Iowa. She was later spotted in south Florida.
Anyone who information on Reiss’ whereabouts or the case in general is urged to contact police at 911. She should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached if located.