Minnesota — In a chilling new HBO documentary titled I’m Not a Monster, convicted murderer Lois Riess tells her side of the story for the first time since the 2018 killings that shocked the nation. The series delves into the mind of the woman who brutally murdered her husband and later killed a look-alike in an attempt to assume her identity, evading law enforcement in a cross-country manhunt.
The ‘Murder Home’ and the Grisly Killing
Riess, now known as the “killer grandma,” recounts the events leading up to the cold-blooded killing of her husband, David Riess, in their rural Minnesota home. Dubbed the “Murder Home” by local media, the house became a crime scene when Lois shot David, stole his money, and fled to Florida. Her flight culminated in the murder of a look-alike, Pamela Hutchinson, in Fort Myers, whose identity she assumed to continue her escape.
“I Just Snapped”
In the documentary, Riess claims that she “just snapped,” providing her first public explanation for the murders. The film examines the psychological pressures and unraveling of Riess’ life, exploring what could have driven a seemingly normal woman to commit such heinous acts.
HBO Explores the Double Life
The documentary digs deep into Riess’ life prior to the murders, painting a picture of a woman with a gambling addiction and mounting financial pressures. It raises the question of whether these external factors contributed to her deadly choices or if there was something darker lurking beneath the surface all along.
A National Manhunt
After killing her husband, Riess went on the run, sparking a nationwide manhunt. Her second victim, Hutchinson, bore a striking resemblance to Riess, making it easier for the fugitive to assume her identity. Law enforcement pursued Riess across several states before capturing her in Texas, bringing her weeks-long escape to an end.
A Life Behind Bars
Riess was sentenced to life in prison in Minnesota, where she will remain for the rest of her life. The documentary offers a rare glimpse into her thoughts and motivations as she reflects on her crimes from behind bars. While she has expressed remorse, the victims’ families remain devastated by her actions.
I’m Not a Monster provides viewers with an unsettling look into the mind of Lois Riess and the shocking events that led to two senseless murders, leaving audiences questioning the line between circumstance and evil.