Brightwood, OR — A 61-year-old Oregon woman, Susan Lane-Fournier, was found deceased after going missing during a hike in the Mt. Hood area, sparking a complex investigation that led to the arrest of her 71-year-old estranged husband. Michel Fournier faces charges of second-degree murder following his wife’s untimely death, authorities confirmed late Wednesday.
Susan Lane-Fournier, who was a known hiking enthusiast, did not return from her routine excursion with her two dogs, leading to immediate concerns for her safety. Her absence was first noted on Nov. 22 after she failed to report for work, prompting colleagues and friends to contact local law enforcement.
The search for Lane-Fournier began shortly thereafter, with her vehicle located by a community member parked near a popular trail. This discovery led search and rescue teams to comb the area, culminating in the tragic finding of her body on a piece of property jointly owned by the couple in Brightwood, a wooded locality known for its scenic trails and proximity to Mt. Hood.
Court records reveal tension in the couple’s relationship, with Lane-Fournier having filed for divorce just two weeks before her disappearance. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office has since conducted an autopsy which confirmed the death as a homicide, adding a grievous dimension to the ongoing investigation.
Tragically, the bodies of two dogs, believed to be Lane-Fournier’s pets, were also found near her, deepening the sorrow surrounding the case. Friends of Lane-Fournier remarked that she often took her dogs hiking for companionship and security. One co-worker disclosed that Lane-Fournier had expressed fears regarding her own safety in the weeks leading up to her vanishing.
Law enforcement officials temporarily halted the search due to adverse weather conditions but resumed with determination leading to the grim discovery. The acknowledgement of the homicide has intensified the investigation, with detectives keen on unearthing the sequence of events leading up to the murder. They are currently soliciting information from the public regarding Michel Fournier’s whereabouts and actions before and after the suspected crime.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community has rallied in support of Lane-Fournier’s family, remembering her as an avid nature lover and a compassionate friend. Meanwhile, law enforcement continues to piece together the circumstances of this harrowing incident, striving to bring closure to a case that has shocked and saddened the Brightwood community.
As the legal proceedings against Michel Fournier commence, many are left pondering the hidden turmoil that can exist behind closed doors, even in the most serene settings. The investigation remains active, with authorities indicating that further details will be disclosed as they become available.