On March 23, Dodge County Dispatched received a call from David Riess' business partner who requested a welfare check on David. The partner indicated that neither he nor their employees had seen David in over two weeks. Law enforcement attempted to make contact at the Riess' residence. No one answered the door.
Law Enforcement returned to the residence that evening and discovered David Reiss' body inside the home. Riess had been shot multiple times and had been deceased for an undetermined amount of time.
As the investigation progressed, law enforcement received information indicating Lois Riess may be at Diamond Joe's Casino in Iowa. On March 24, investigators from Dodge County, the BCA and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, responded to Diamond Joe's but determined that Riess left prior to their arrival.
The U.S Marshals were asked to assist on March 30. On April 2, investigators received information that Lois Riess was in southern Florida. Florida law enforcement joined the search.
By Tara Lindquist
Lois Riess, the Blooming Prairie woman who is a suspect in her husband's murder has also been charged in Lee County Florida, with murder, theft of a vehicle and criminal use of personal identification.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office in Florida has identified Riess as the suspect in the shooting death of Pamela Hutchinson of Bradenton, Florida. The murder happened at Marina Village Luxury Condos on San Carlos Boulevard in Fort Myers Beach Florida.
Investigators believe Riess may have killed Hutchinson earlier this week because of their similarities in appearance and to assume her identity. During a press conference Friday afternoon Undersheriff Carmine Marceno said they believe Riess is driving Hutchinson's vehicle, a white 2005 Acura TL with Florida plates Y37TAA. Hutchinson's purse was found inside the condo and Marceno described it to be in disarray with credit cards, cash, and identification missing.
Riess is believed to be armed and dangerous. Marceno said Riess is targeting women who look like her in order to assume their identity. "Her mode of operation is to befriend women who resemble her and steal their identity," Marceno said. He also said Riess has fled south Florida and was last seen in the Corpus Christi, Texas area, but her whereabouts at this time are unknown.
The Dodge County Sheriff's Office on Thursday evening released a statement saying 2nd degree murder charges are pending against Riess in Dodge County for her husband's murder.
Investigators also believe that Hutchinson may have been killed with the same firearm used to murder David Riess.
The release also stated that Riess' vehicle was found abandoned in Florida earlier this week.
Investigators advise that Riess is armed and dangerous. Anyone who has had recent contact with Riess or any information as to her whereabouts is urged to contact the BCA tip line at 1-877-966-6222.
