I Am Not A Monster: The Lois Riess Murders

[DanaK]

Quote

HBO 2-part documentary that premieres October 15 2024 and streams on HBO Max

Synopsis: In 2018, a small-town murder in Minnesota shocks a community when 56-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother Lois Riess kills her husband David and goes on the run from the authorities. Years later, Lois sits down with the filmmakers telling her story for the first time. Lois herself attempts to explain her reprehensible actions which reveals a disturbing family history and an addiction to gambling.

 

Edited September 26, 2024 by DanaK
fixed mispelling in title

[DanaK]

Note that per HBO's schedule on their website, Part 1 will be shown on October 15 at 9pm ET and Part 2 will be shown the next night on October 16 at 9pm ET

I'm curious to find out who else she killed besides her husband given the plural murders in the title

 

Edited September 26, 2024 by DanaK

[DanaK]

Full press release http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2024/10/04/hbo-original-two-part-documentary-im-not-a-monster-the-lois-riess-murders-debuts-october-15-142210/20241004hbo01/

Trailer

 

[meep.meep]

Watched both episodes - she kind of is a monster.   Especially for the second murder.

Driven to distraction by the red shirt that the older reporter was wearing.  With its big peplum on top - why go on TV in that?

[patty1h]

I've encountered stories about Lois Reiss before... maybe Dateline or 48 Hours or 20/20 and at least one podcast.  This HBO doc is the first one to bring up her atypical background and her saying that her husband was violent.  All of the previous stories about Lois focused on the gambling being the impetus for her to murder 2 people.

I'm only halfway through part one but I'm not on Lois's side (yet) that she was a battered woman.  I've watched too many true crime shows and my gut tells me that Lois may have concocted the abuse story, but it seems a waste of energy because she's not going anywhere after killing that poor innocent woman to cover her own tracks.   

We'll see how this tale pans out and whether my opinion shifts.

[heatherchandler]

She seems like kind of a monster.

[Andyourlittledog2]

Yeah, I don't buy her story at all. Especially in light of the innocent woman she premeditatedly murdered in Florida in order to steal her identity. And she would have killed that second woman too if it weren't for the security cameras, I really believe that.  She was a gambling addict and that is something that, to me, is more dangerous to those around you than any drug or alcohol could ever be.  I think she is indeed a monster, especially since she doesn't seem to have much remorse. She fakes it, but she really doesn't.

That Florida sheriff has some weird issues, though. It's like he's on some potent steroids or extra testosterone or something. Way way too "Rambo as sheriff" for me. I'm a law abiding citizen and I would not feel safe with that man having any power over people. He was scary strange.

ETA: coincidence: I just watched last week's Body Cam on ID network and this same sheriff was on there doing that preening thing about his county sheriff's dept and how 'they don't play' and how the criminals (jewelry thieves in this case) didn't count on Lee County sheriffs etc. This guy is super intense and talks like that county belongs to HIM, period. So weird.

Edited October 23, 2024 by Andyourlittledog2
Added note about Lee County sheriff.

[angelamh66]

That sheriff is.... something. Reminds me of a local sheriff in Ohio who got Fox News famous for being absolutely terrible to immigrants. Now he walks around town like a pseudo-celebrity posing for photos. It is super weird. 

The recruitment video was pretty insane too. I'm like its Ft. Myers not a war torn country... calm the eff down. 

And I too think Lois is a monster. The old "I don't remember doing that" defense so she doesn't have to take accountability. Everything just happened TO her instead of being caused by her. Don't buy it. 

 

[DanaK]

What a wild, weird story. You had to feel for Lois and her siblings given all the mental illness  and abuse growing up. One could maybe understand killing a spouse due to abuse, but leaving the body lying around for days while Lois stayed in the house is next level. And then Lois goes and kills an innocent woman to take her identity while on the run and stays in the condo with the body before she takes off. She’s certainly a monster at this point

And yeah, that Florida sheriff was something else. Just a bit too aggressive

[DanaK]

To add, I definitely felt bad for Pam Hutchinson's widower. That man is still hurting losing his wife like that

I do hope Lois is getting mental health counseling of some sort, even if she's in prison until she dies. Terrible that she's lost one child to mental health and addiction issues. I hope her remaining children are getting some kind of appropriate help. Too bad the townspeople don't want to face the possible abuse issues by Lois' husband. Being open about it if it existed might help others who are facing abuse issues