Lois Ann Riess (née Witte; born February 28, 1962) is an American convicted murderer and former fugitive. In 2018, she gained nationwide notoriety after being accused of killing her husband in Minnesota and a woman in Florida, prompting a cross-country manhunt. Nicknamed the "Killer Grandma" and "Losing Streak Lois" by media outlets, Riess's case drew widespread attention due to its shocking details and her ability to elude law enforcement for weeks.

After leaving Minnesota, Riess traveled to Florida, where she was accused of befriending Pamela Hutchinson, a woman who bore a physical resemblance to her. Riess later murdered Hutchinson in an attempt to steal her identity and continue her flight from authorities. Using Hutchinson's identification and credit cards, she traveled through multiple states before being apprehended in South Padre Island, Texas, in April 2018.

Riess was convicted of both murders and was given 2 life in prison sentences (one for each murder) without the possibility of parole. Her case has been the subject of an HBO documentary, podcasts, and in-depth media coverage, highlighting issues such as identity theft, elder criminality, and the challenges of tracking fugitives. Riess has been serving two life sentences at Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee since 11 August 2020.

Early life

Lois Riess was born in Rochester, Minnesota, in the early 1960s.