Small Town Murder: Episode #561 - Losing Streak Lois - Blooming Prairie, Minnesota

Release Date: January 16, 2025
Hosts: James Pietragallo & Jimmie Whisman

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Small Town Murder, hosts James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman delve into the tragic and chilling story of Lois Reese, affectionately nicknamed "Losing Streak Lois." Set in the serene town of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, the episode explores how gambling addiction can spiral into devastating consequences, ultimately leading to murder and a nationwide manhunt.

Background of Dave and Lois Reese (00:42 - 12:29)

Blooming Prairie is introduced as a tight-knit, idyllic small town with a strong sense of community. The town's history dates back to 1868, and before Prohibition, it was a hub for alcohol distribution due to its strategic location.

Dave Reese (born April 24, 1963) grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, attended Mayo High School, and was known as a prankster. After graduating in 1981, Dave enlisted in the Navy, serving until 1985. During his service, he met Lois (née [Last Name]), a 20-year-old woman from Rochester with a troubled family background, including a hoarding mother.

In 1982, at the age of 19, Dave and Lois married and quickly started a family, having three children within four years. Post-Navy, Dave returned to Minnesota, took a job at Krenlow Manufacturing, and later opened a bait shop called "The Bait Box," which thrived due to his expertise in fishing.

Notable Quote:

• James Pietragallo (03:21): "Dave is just a big goofy guy. Love him and he's happy."

The Fire Incident and Financial Struggles (12:29 - 35:28)

In 2005, Dave and Lois moved to Blooming Prairie to pursue Dave's dream of opening a wax worm farm. Their business grew, supplying bait to major retailers like Walmart and ESPN, especially during the winter ice fishing season.

However, in February 2006, tragedy struck when a fire engulfed their home, destroying everything except the wax worms, which were stored separately. The community rallied to support the family, helping them rebuild their home and continue their business.

Despite the support, financial pressures mounted as the worm farm became increasingly lucrative, but Lois struggled with gambling. She began siphoning funds from the business, initially under the guise of community donations to purchase equipment like a golf cart. Over time, she gambled away significant sums, exacerbating her addiction and straining her relationship with Dave.

Notable Quote:

• Jimmy Whisman (25:07): "She loves fish."

Murder of Dave Reese (35:28 - 56:55)

By March 2018, Dave Reese's friends and employees noticed a disturbing change. Lois became increasingly withdrawn, missing appointments, and exhibiting erratic behavior. On March 11, 2018, Dave revealed that he was done supporting Lois's gambling, leading to intense arguments at home.

On March 23, 2018, police officers discovered Dave dead in their home—shot twice with a .22 handgun. The investigation quickly turned toward Lois, given her financial discrepancies and gambling debts. However, Lois had already fled, assuming the identity of her friend Pam Hutchinson, and embarked on a killing spree across states.

Notable Quote:

• James Pietragallo (55:14): "She was a cold blooded murderer."

Fugitive Activities and Second Murder (56:55 - 118:26)

After murdering Dave, Lois disappeared and began a series of identity thefts and murders under the alias Pam Hutchinson. She embezzled funds from the worm farm and used them to fuel her gambling addiction. Lois targeted individuals who resembled her, making it easier to assume their identities.

• April 2, 2018: Lois, posing as Pam, checked into Motel 6 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. She befriended several women, including Bernadette Mathis and Carol Lafferty, before murdering Pam Hutchinson on April 9, 2018, in Texas.

Her strategic movements included:

• Stealing vehicles and cash.
• Using surveillance footage to evade capture.
• Traveling across states to continue her spree.

Notable Quote:

• James Pietragallo (105:25): "This is one of the Lee County's undersheriffs. Said she looks like anybody's mother or grandmother, yet she's a cold blooded killer."

Investigation and Capture (118:26 - 155:38)

Authorities launched a nationwide manhunt for Lois, now dubbed "Losing Streak Lois." Her pattern involved:

• Overdosing on pills to appear vulnerable.
• Committing murders in accessible locations.
• Utilizing high-frequency travel routes to evade law enforcement.

Despite intensive efforts, Lois continued her spree until she was finally apprehended in April 2018 in Fort Myers Beach, Texas, after murdering Pam Hutchinson. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts linked her to both murders, leading to her arrest.

Notable Quote:

• James Pietragallo (123:48): "She is a towel soap stealer. That's hilarious."

Trial and Sentencing (155:38 - 174:42)

In December 2019, Lois stood trial for the murders of Dave Reese and Pam Hutchinson. Representing herself, she admitted to the killings, citing a "psychotic break" fueled by years of abuse, neglect, and her overwhelming gambling addiction. Despite presenting no substantial evidence of her mental state, she pled guilty to first-degree murder in both cases to avoid the death penalty.

The sentencing resulted in life imprisonment without parole in both Utah and Florida, ensuring that Lois would never pose a threat to society again.

Notable Quote:

• James Pietragallo (168:37): "You snapped. That's a thing that happens pretty well alone."

Family and Community Reactions (174:42 - End)

The community of Blooming Prairie was left in shock, having always perceived the Reese family as upstanding and friendly. The murders shattered the town's image of safety and unity, highlighting the hidden struggles individuals may face.

Family members expressed deep pain and betrayal, struggling to reconcile Lois's affable nature with her capacity for violence. The episode underscores the complexity of addiction and its potential to devastate not only the individual but also those around them.

Notable Quote:

• Braden Reese (final sections): "Losing my dad at the hands of my mom is something I'll never be able to process."

Conclusion

"Losing Streak Lois" serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive power of addiction and the facades people maintain. Through in-depth research and a compassionate yet comedic lens, James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman shed light on a harrowing true story that challenges our perceptions of good and evil within the fabric of small-town America.

Notable Quotes Summary:

• James Pietragallo (03:21): "Dave is just a big goofy guy. Love him and he's happy."
• Jimmy Whisman (25:07): "She loves fish."
• James Pietragallo (55:14): "She was a cold blooded murderer."
• James Pietragallo (105:25): "This is one of the Lee County's undersheriffs. Said she looks like anybody's mother or grandmother, yet she's a cold blooded killer."
• James Pietragallo (123:48): "She is a towel soap stealer. That's hilarious."
• James Pietragallo (168:37): "You snapped. That's a thing that happens pretty well alone."

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This summary excludes sponsor messages, advertisements, and non-essential sections to focus solely on the narrative and key discussions of the episode.