Tragic twist in case of Oregon hiker who went missing with her two dogs
An Oregon woman who went missing while hiking with her two dogs was found dead — and her husband has been charged with murder.
The body of 61-year-old Susan Lane-Fournier, who was reported missing on Nov. 22, was found by her friend Friday morning near a highway in Clackamas County.
After the gruesome discovery, detectives arrested her husband, Michel Fournier, 71, for manslaughter, police said. Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.
Two dogs believed to belong to Susan were found dead in the area the next day.
Susan’s death came less than a month after she filed for divorce from Michel, to whom she had been married for 12 years. KKG8.
The divorce suit filed Oct. 31 in Clackamas County Circuit Court noted that “irreconcilable differences between the parties have caused irreparable breakdown of their marriage.”
Susan, a Brightwood resident called “Phoenix” by her friends, was reported missing after failing to show up for work.
On November 23, Susan’s girlfriend told police they saw her white 1992 Ford F-250 parked near the Green Canyon Way Trail, south of Welches. Susan walked her dogs there.
The Clackamas County Sherriff’s Office began a search for the missing woman and her two large Malinois dogs on Nov. 24. sheriff’s office.
Susan Lane-Fournier, 61, was reported missing on November 22 after failing to show up for work
Michel Fournier, 71, was arrested Friday and charged with manslaughter for the death of his wife
Michel and Susan were in the process of divorcing when Susan was murdered. Susan filed divorce proceedings on October 31
Search efforts over a 100-mile area of Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness lasted 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.
Her body was found Friday along East Highway 26 and East Miller Road before Michel was charged.
Detectives confirmed her identity 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 the parking lot, described the moment he found his dead friend KOIN 6.
He said, “I went down the path, maybe twenty yards. I saw some sail. I thought it was trash. I bent over to pick up the tarp and as I bent over and came up I saw a pair of boots attached to one leg.
“I immediately dropped the tarp, stood back, collected myself, turned around and went to the lodge and had the office call 911 immediately.
Susan’s two sons Kota and Jesse “now face an overwhelming and uncertain future,” according to a GoFundMe page
Susan was last seen walking through Green Canyon Way Trails with her two dogs. Detectives identified two deceased dogs believed to be hers
Neighbors and loved ones alleged that Susan caused Michel to commit domestic violence against her
“It was pretty heartbreaking.”
Susan’s neighbors had expressed concern for her safety and accused Michel of being an abusive partner.
“A lot of people were talking about domestic violence,” neighbor Betty Swan-DeLong told KGW8.
In a heartbreaking Facebook post, Sarahi Welton revealed disturbing details from Susan’s wedding day in 2012.
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. It took hours to get her ready because she couldn’t stop sobbing,” Welton claimed.
‘Now she’s gone forever. He killed her.’
Others worried about Susan, known as “Phoenix” by loved ones, and her family life.
Susan and Michel married in 2012. Sarahi Welton, who did Susan’s hair and makeup, said Susan cried all the time while she was getting ready
While discussing Susan’s disappearance, a friend claimed that Susan was “afraid” for her and her pets’ lives
Michel allegedly killed his wife less than a month after she filed for divorce, citing ‘irreconcilable differences’ between them
On November 24, before Susan’s body was found, Terri Hanley wrote on Facebook: ‘Phoenix feared for her and her dogs’ lives, and for her home, and the system was working against her. She was scared and struggling.”
A tribute Facebook page has been flooded with friends and family members remembering Susan for her strong character and creativity.
The tribute reads: “Phoenix was a woman of deep presence, her spirit a flame that illuminated all around her.
“As an artist, creator, healer and connector, she seemed to be made up of the elements she worked with: earth, air, fire and water.”
Susan made handmade clothing and artwork. According to the tribute, one of her final projects was a detailed tapestry.
“This was her last gift to us, she left a piece of her heart, her hope and her love in each of us,” the page reads.
Susan will be remembered by loved ones as a caring and creative person, according to a tribute page on Facebook
Search efforts across a 100-mile area of Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness lasted more than 800 hours
A GoFundMe was founded ‘in search of justice and support’ for the sons of Phoenix.’
The organizer, Elizabeth Cox, wrote: “Our close-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 Susan’s adult sons Kota and Jesse “now face an overwhelming and uncertain future.”