Estranged husband arrested for murder after missing hiker found dead along with dogs: ‘Afraid for her life’
An Oregon woman’s estranged husband, Michel Fournier, was arrested and charged with murder after the body of missing hiker Susan Lane-Fournier, 61, was found along with two deceased dogs believed to be hers. The tragic discovery was made on Friday morning in the Mt. Hood area, where Lane-Fournier was last seen embarking on a hike with her beloved pets.
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office swiftly took action, apprehending Fournier and booking him on second-degree murder charges in connection with his estranged wife’s death. Lane-Fournier’s disappearance had been reported on Nov. 22 when she failed to show up for work, sparking a desperate search effort that ultimately led to this grim outcome.
A concerned community member had noticed Lane-Fournier’s white 1992 Ford F-250 parked near East Salmon River Road and the Green Canyon Way Trail, prompting a multi-day search involving various law enforcement agencies. It was later revealed that Lane-Fournier and Fournier were still legally married at the time of her tragic demise, despite her recent filing for divorce just two weeks prior to her disappearance.
Following an autopsy conducted by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, Lane-Fournier’s death was officially ruled a homicide, shedding light on the dark circumstances surrounding her untimely passing. The investigation also uncovered that her body had been located near a property owned by the couple in Brightwood, with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office recovering the deceased dogs believed to be her loyal companions.
One of Lane-Fournier’s coworkers shared with local news outlet KPTV that she had expressed fears for her safety in the weeks leading up to her disappearance, explaining her decision to always have her dogs by her side. This harrowing detail added a chilling dimension to the already tragic case, leaving many in shock and disbelief.
Authorities had initially halted the search due to adverse weather conditions and concerns about the likelihood of survival, underscoring the challenging circumstances faced by search teams in their efforts to locate Lane-Fournier. Despite these obstacles, the relentless pursuit of justice continued, ultimately leading to Fournier’s arrest and the subsequent legal proceedings.
As the investigation unfolds, detectives are urging anyone with information about Michel Fournier’s activities before and after Susan Lane-Fournier’s disappearance to come forward and assist in the ongoing inquiry. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 503-723-4949, with every detail potentially holding the key to unraveling the full extent of this tragic event.
The heartbreaking loss of Susan Lane-Fournier has sent shockwaves through the community, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers that can lurk even in familiar surroundings. As her loved ones grapple with this devastating news, the pursuit of justice for her memory remains at the forefront of efforts to bring closure to this heartbreaking chapter.
