Florida Officials to Seek Death Penalty Against Blooming Prairie Woman

Florida officials announced Monday they will seek the death penalty in the case of a Blooming Prairie, MN woman accused in the killing of a Florida woman according to the Star Tribune. Lois Riess is being held in Lee County, FL without bond.

The 56-year-old Riess allegedly targeted 59-year-old Pamela Hutchinson of Fort Myers because they looked alike. Riess supposedly used Hutchinson's car and credit cards, in addition to withdrawing cash from Hutchinson's bank account. The two met April 4. Hutchinson was found dead in her condo April 9.

Riess had become the subject of a nationwide search after the death of husband, David, in the Blooming Prairie area in March. Dodge County authorities have charged her with forging checks from her husband's business, but no charges have been filed in his death.

Riess was apprehended in South Padre Island, Texas after a restaurant worker recognized her from footage being shown on television. She was extradited from Texas to Florida on murder and theft charges.