An Oregon woman who went missing while hiking with her two dogs was found dead – and her husband has been charged with her murder.
The body of Susan Lane-Fournier, 61, who was reported missing on November 22, was found by her friend near a Clackamas County highway on Friday morning.
After the horrifying discovery, detectives arrested her husband, Michel Fournier, 71, for second-degree murder, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
Two dogs believed to be Susan’s were found dead in the area the next day.
Susan’s death came less than a month after she filed for divorce against Michel, who she was married to for 12 years, according to KGW8.
The October 31 divorce proceeding filed in Clackamas County Circuit Court noted ‘irreconcilable differences between the parties have caused an irremediable breakdown of their marriage.’
Susan, a Brightwood resident known as ‘Phoenix’ by her friends, was reported missing after she failed to show up to work.
On November 23, Susan’s friend told police they saw her white 1992 Ford F-250 parked by the Green Canyon Way Trail, south of Welches. Susan was walking her dogs there.
The Clackamas County Sherriff’s Office launched a search for the missing woman and her two large Malinois-mix dogs on November 24, according to the sheriff’s office.
Search efforts spanning 100 miles of Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness lasted for more than 800 hours.
Police, volunteers, K-9s and drone teams worked tirelessly to find Susan and her dogs, but the sheriff’s department suspended rescue operations on Tuesday.
On Friday, her body was found by East Highway 26 and East Miller Road before Michel was charged.
Detectives confirmed her identity on Saturday and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
James Evan, who found Susan’s body about four miles from where her truck was parked, described the moment he found his deceased friend to KOIN 6.
He said: ‘I went down the path, maybe 20 yards. I’ve seen some tarp. I thought it was trash. I bent over to pick up the tarp and as I bent over and came up, I seen a pair of boots connected to a leg.
‘I directly dropped the tarp, backed up, gathered myself together, turned around and went to the lodge and had the office call 911 immediately.
‘It was pretty heartbreaking.’
Susan’s neighbors had expressed concerns for her safety, accusing Michel of being an abusive partner.
‘A lot of people talked about domestic violence,” neighbor Betty Swan-DeLong told KGW8.
In a gut-wrenching Facebook post, Sarahi Welton revealed unsettling details from Susan’s 2012 wedding day.
Welton said she did Susan’s hair and makeup for her big day, but she will never forget the experience for a heartbreaking reason.
‘Susan cried, and I mean cried, all morning long. It took hours to get her ready because she couldn’t stop sobbing,’ Welton claimed.
‘Now she’s gone forever. He killed her.’
Others came forward with concerns about Susan, who was known as ‘Phoenix’ by loved ones, and her home life.
On November 24, before Susan’s body was found, Terri Hanley wrote on Facebook: ‘Phoenix was in fear for her and her dogs’ lives, and her home, and the system was working against her. She was afraid and struggling.’
A tribute Facebook page has been flooded with friends and relatives remembering Susan for her strong character and creativity.
The tribute reads: ‘Phoenix was a woman of profound presence, her spirit a flame that illuminated everyone around her.
‘An artist, a creator, a healer, and a connector, she seemed to be made of the very elements she worked with—earth, air, fire, and water.’
Susan crafted handmade clothing and artwork. According to the tribute, one of her last projects was a detailed tapestry.
‘This was her last gift to us, she left a piece of her heart, her hope, and her love within each of us,’ the page reads.
A GoFundMe was created ‘seeking justice and support’ for Phoenix’s sons.’
The organizer, Elizabeth Cox, wrote: ‘Our tight-knit mountain community has been shaken to its core by an unimaginable tragedy.
‘Phoenix was a bright light in our lives, and while we can never bring her back, we can stand together to honor her memory by helping her sons move forward.’
Cox said that Susan’s adult sons Kota and Jesse ‘now face an overwhelming and uncertain future.’
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