MANTORVILLE, Minn. - Reward money is now being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a Minnesota fugitive now tied by authorities to a pair of murders.
Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose announced Tuesday that the U.S. Marshals have elevated the search for Lois Riess to Major case status, and are now offering a $5,000 reward. Florida Crime Stoppers are offering another $1,000, bringing the total reward offered to $6,000.
The Blooming Prairie woman is being sought for the March murder of her husband David Riess, and the murder of Pamela Hutchinson of Bradenton, Florida, earlier this month. Investigators believe Riess is driving Hutchinson’s vehicle, a white Acura TL, last seen with Florida license plate Y37TAA.
Meanwhile, surveillance video released Monday shows a Riess in a Florida bar smiling and talking with a fellow patron whom police say she later killed.
The video released by the Lee County Sheriff's Office shows 56-year-old Riess talking to 59-year-old Pamela Hutchinson April 5 at the Smokin' Oyster Brewery in Fort Myers Beach. Investigators say Riess targeted Hutchinson because of their similar appearance, and allege that after shooting her Riess stole her victim's money, credit cards, identification and vehicle.
She is still at large, after being spotted most recently in Louisiana and Texas.
Lee County Undersheriff Carmine Marceno says while Riess "may look like anyone's mother or grandmother, she's an absolute cold-blooded murderer."