TIMELINE: Manhunt continues for grandmother wanted in Minnesota, Florida murders
(KMSP) - A Minnesota grandmother wanted for murders in Minnesota and Florida has evaded law enforcement for more than three weeks, despite a nationwide manhunt.
U.S. Marshals are putting up billboards in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Nevada to assist in the search for the 56-year-old fugitive, now dubbed "Losing Streak Lois" because of her alleged gambling addiction.
MARCH 23: MINNESOTA MURDER
Authorities first began looking for Riess after her husband, 54-year-old Navy veteran David Riess, was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in rural Dodge County on March 23.
A warrant was issued for Riess’ arrest after local law enforcement discovered she had illegally withdrawn $11,000 from her husband’s personal bank accounts. She was reportedly facing $100,500 in debt at the time of the murder.
She has a gambling addiction and is known to frequent casinos.
Riess is facing felony charges for grand theft, but she has not been formally charged in her husband’s murder.
APRIL 5: RIESS MEETS FUTURE MURDER VICTIM
The Lee County Sheriff's Office in Florida says Riess drove her Cadillac Escalade from Minnesota to Fort Myers Beach and abandoned it at a park.
Video footage from the Smokin' Oyster Brewery in Fort Myers Beach, Florida on April 5 shows Riess befriending 59-year-old Pamela Hutchinson of Bradenton, Florida. Hutchinson was found dead in her Fort Myers Beach condo a few days later.
APRIL 9: FLORIDA MURDER
Hutchinson was found shot to death in her condo on April 9, but she was likely killed a few days prior. Authorities believe Riess targeted Hutchinson because of their similar appearance and killed her to assume her identity. Hutchinson’s ID, credit cards and vehicle were missing from her home.
Riess was seen in a surveillance video leaving Marina Village, where the condo was located, in Hutchinson's white Acura TL with Florida license plate Y37TAA.
Before leaving Fort Myers Beach, Riess stopped at a Wells Fargo Bank and used Hutchinson's ID to make an over the counter cash withdrawal of $5,000, according to the sheriff's office.
A warrant has been issued for Riess' arrest on charges of second-degree murder, ID theft, grand theft and grand theft auto.
RIESS LEAVES FLORIDA
Riess arrived at the Hilton hotel in Ocala, Florida on April 6, one day after she was seen on video talking with Hutchinson at the brewery in Fort Myers.
Three surveillance videos from a hotel in Ocala, Florida also show the Acura driving in the parking lot as well as Riess walking around inside the hotel and walking up to the hotel counter. She used Hutchinson's credit card to pay for a room.
Riess left Ocala on April 7. The Acura was later spotted in Louisiana and then resurfaced in Corpus Christi, Texas.
NATIONWIDE MANHUNT
The U.S. Marshals have upgraded the investigation to a major case. They are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to Riess’ arrest. Florida Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $1,000.
Riess's last known whereabouts were in Corpus Christi, Texas. U.S. Marshals have expanded their search to New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California as well.
Riess is considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone who sees her should call 911.
Anyone who has had recent contact with Riess or has information on her whereabouts is asked to call the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tip line at 1-877-996-622 or the U.S. Marshals at 1-800-780-8477.