U.S. Marshals offer reward for Lois Riess after Minnesota, Florida murders

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Police are looking for 56-year-old Lois Riess as a person of interest in her husband's murder.

(KMSP) - Authorities are now offering a reward of up to $6,000 for information leading to the arrest of Lois Riess, the Minnesota woman who is being sought in the March murder of her husband and the murder of a Florida woman last week.

Local authorities have dubbed Riess "Losing Streak Lois" because she is known to have a gambling addiction and often frequents casinos, according to the U.S. Marshals. The U.S. Marshals have now updated Riess to a major case.

Riess is believed to have killed her husband, David Riess, in Blooming Prairie last month. Authorities have also connected her to the murder of Pamela Hutchinson, 59, in Fort Myers last week. She is believed to have befriended Hutchinson because they look alike and then killed her to assume her identity.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office in Florida has issued a warrant for Riess' arrest. She is also wanted on grand theft charges for allegedly stealing $11,000 from her husband's bank account after his death, but she has not yet been charged in his murder.

There is now a nationwide manhunt for Riess. She was last known to be in the Corpus Christi, Texas area and is believed to be driving Hutchinson's white Acura TL with Florida license plate Y37TAA.

Riess is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone who sees her is advised to call 911.

The U.S. Marshals are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to Riess' arrest. Florida Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000.