Grandma Who Allegedly Killed Lookalike Found at Texas Bar

Lois Riess apprehended Thursday night
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 20, 2018 6:01 AM CDT
Grandma Who Allegedly Killed Her Lookalike Is Captured
This undated, file photo provided by the Dodge County, Minn., Sheriff's Office shows Lois Riess, of Blooming Prairie, Minn.   (Dodge County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

Lois Riess' time on the run has come to an end. The Minnesota grandmother is accused of killing her husband at their Blooming Prairie home in late March and then murdering Pamela Hutchinson, a woman who bore a resemblance to her, earlier this month in Fort Myers Beach, Fla. A manhunt ensued: Riess was apprehended in Texas on Thursday night. Officials were tipped off by someone who saw her at a restaurant in the South Padre Island area, which the Star Tribune notes is near the Mexico border. Two deputy marshals were on the scene within 25 minutes, CNN reports. The manager of the Sea Ranch Restaurant tells the Washington Post the 56-year-old was "cool as a cucumber" as she had a drink at the bar before the authorities arrived.

It's unclear whether she will be sent to Florida or Minnesota; she's currently in the San Pedro Island jail and has been charged with murder and grand theft of a motor vehicle, among other charges. More details are emerging on Riess' alleged movements in recent weeks: She allegedly paid for a hotel room in Ocala, Fla., with Hutchinson's credit card and withdrew at least $5,500 from Hutchinson's bank accounts, say authorities. The Star Tribune offers up one theory from locals on what's behind Riess' alleged spree: They suspect she "snapped" over gambling debts, which were so well-known that the Post reports locals referred to her as "Losing Streak Lois." (Riess was seen chatting up Hutchinson before her murder on this seven-second video.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X