ABC News December 2, 2024

Husband charged with murder of wife found dead in Oregon wilderness

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A man has been charged with murder after his estranged wife, Susan Lane-Fournier, was found dead in the Oregon wilderness on Friday. She was reported missing a week earlier after she didn't show up for work after going on a hike with her two dogs.

Michel Fournier, 71, was arrested Friday on second-degree murder charges. He is now being held without bail, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.

Earlier Friday, Lane-Fournier was found deceased in Welches, a remote part of Clackamas County, after a multi-day search. An autopsy ruled her manner of death as a homicide, according to authorities.

MORE: Search called off for missing Oregon woman and her 2 dogs

Lane-Fournier, 61, had been reported missing one week earlier, on Nov. 22, after failing to show up at work, according to officials.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
Michel Fournier, is charged with murder of his wife, Susan Lane-Fournier, who was found dead in Oregon wilderness.
MORE: Search continues for 61-year-old missing hiker, 2 dogs
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
Susan Lane-Fournier is believed to be hiking with her two large Malinois-mix dogs in the Green Canyon Way Trail area south of Welches, Ore.

She was also known as "Phoenix," the sheriff's office said.

Her two dogs, which had also been considered missing, were also found dead on Saturday, the sheriff's office said.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office
The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for 61-year-old Susan Lane-Fournier, a resident of Brightwood, Ore.

Weeks before she disappeared, according to The Oregonian, Lane-Fournier filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The two had been married for 12 years.