Body found in Welches identified as missing Mt Hood hiker: Husband charged with murder

CLACKAMAS COUNTY Ore. (KPTV) – After a body was found in the Welches area on Friday, deputies said the person was identified as a 61-year-old tourist who had been reported missing for a weekthe Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday.

After a body was found near East Highway 26 and East Miller Road Friday morning, the medical examiner’s office identified the person as Susan Lane-Fournier and determined her death was a homicide.

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Susan Lane-Fournier, 61, disappeared Friday while hiking in Mount Hood National Forest.

Also on Friday, shortly after Lane-Fournier’s body was found, detectives arrested Michel Fournier, 71, of Brightwood. He was booked into the Clackamas County Jail, where he is being held without bail on a charge of second-degree murder.

Authorities also confirmed Saturday that Lane-Fournier and Michel Fournier were married at the time of her death.

71-year-old Michel Fournier(Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office)

Lane-Fournier was first reported missing on November 22 after she failed to show up for work. On November 23, a community member found her pickup truck parked near East Salmon River Road and the Green Canyon Way Trail south of Welches.

This led to a multi-day search and rescue operation by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team as detectives continued their investigation.

Two of Lane-Fournier’s dogs were also missing but have not yet been found.

Investigators want to talk to anyone who may have seen Michel Fournier in the days before her disappearance or who has information about what he was doing or where he went last week. Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff’s Office tip line at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at: clackamas.us/sheriff/tip. Please refer to CCSO Case No. 24-024698