5 Disturbing Facts About Lois Riess’ Criminal Activities

In 2018, Lois Riess emerged as a notorious criminal, drawing national attention due to her involvement in a double murder case spanning Florida and Minnesota. This gripping story, extensively covered and sensationalized at the time, will soon be explored in the upcoming docuseries titled I Am Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders, premiering on HBO and Max on October 15, 2024.

This two-part documentary will delve deep into the entirety of the case while providing an intimate look at the psyche of Lois Riess herself, as she reflects on her actions from behind bars. The description of the docuseries by filmmaker Erin Lee Carr states:

“In 2018, a small town in Minnesota is rocked by a murder when Lois Riess takes the life of her husband David and subsequently goes on the run; years later, Lois recounts her story to filmmakers for the first time.”

The case is filled with overlooked yet pivotal details that offer a fresh perspective on the events. Here are five intriguing insights leading up to the premiere of I Am Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders.

5 Disturbing Insights Into the Lois Riess Case

1) A Background of Abuse in the Riess Marriage

Unbeknownst to many, the marriage between David and Lois was fraught with turmoil, as Lois has recounted her experiences of being a victim of abuse. She described how the mistreatment she endured was both verbal and physical, contributing to a climate of intimidation.

In the documentary, she expressed:

“I felt trapped, unable to defy him. He was a large man and exhibited extreme aggression. The verbal abuse often felt worse than the physical punishment.”

2) Lois’s Life-Altering Gambling Addiction

David Riess was discovered days after his murder (Image via Pexels)

Prior to the tragic events, Lois battled a severe gambling addiction that spiraled out of control and nearly led her to take her own life. Following this dark period, she ultimately fatally shot her husband after a violent altercation on March 11, 2018, striking him in the heart.

3) Similarities Between the Murders of David Riess and Pamela Hutchinson

After murdering her spouse, Lois traveled 1,500 miles south to Fort Myers, Florida, where she encountered Pamela Hutchinson. The two women were frequently seen together in local establishments.

Tragically, 59-year-old Pamela was discovered dead in her hotel room on April 9, 2018, having been shot. Notably, Lois wrapped Pamela’s body in a blanket, mirroring her actions with her husband.

4) Lois’s Uncertainty Regarding Pamela Hutchinson’s Murder

Pamela Hutchinson's murder remains a mystery (Image via Pexels) — Pamela Hutchinson’s murder remains a mystery (Image via Pexels)

While it has been suggested that Lois murdered Pamela to take over her identity due to their striking resemblance, Lois herself claimed she could not comprehend why she resorted to violence against Pamela. She expressed a desire for friendship rather than harm.

Riess remarked:

“I never expected to hurt that woman… it’s truly baffling, as I don’t have all the memories or answers. I know I took her life, but I still am unclear on why it happened.”

5) Lois Riess’s Guilty Plea in Both Murders

Following her capture by the U.S. Marshals in a Texas restaurant, Lois was charged with the murder of Pamela Hutchinson. Although she initially considered going to trial, she ultimately accepted a plea deal, receiving a life sentence without parole.

After being extradited to Minnesota for David Riess’s murder charges, she repeated this process, pleading guilty and receiving another life sentence. Riess remains incarcerated at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, Scott County.

I Am Not a Monster: The Lois Riess Murders promises a comprehensive examination of this harrowing case.

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