UPDATE (November 30, 2024): Suspect arrested; deceased person found in Welches area identified as Susan Lane-Fournier

Date

11/30/2024

CCSO Case # 24-024698

Today, Saturday, November 30, 2024, the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy of the deceased person found on November 29, 2024, near East Highway 26 and East Miller Road in unincorporated Clackamas County. The Medical Examiner's Office has identified the deceased as missing person Susan Lane-Fournier and the manner of death as a homicide.

On Friday, November 29, 2024, shortly after the discovery of a deceased person in the Welches area, now identified as Susan Lane-Fournier, detectives contacted Michel Fournier, 71 of Brightwood. Detectives arrested Michel Fournier and he was booked into the Clackamas County Jail where he is currently being held without bail on a charge of second-degree murder.

Susan Lane-Fournier was first reported missing on Friday, November 22, 2024, after failing to arrive at her workplace. On Saturday, November 23, 2024, a community member reported seeing Lane-Fournier’s white 1992 Ford F-250 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, while detectives continued their investigation.

Susan Lane-Fournier’s two dogs have not been located. Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen Michel Fournier in the days before her disappearance or who has information about his activity and whereabouts since then.

We are releasing Michel Fournier’s booking photo from this incident. The release of the booking photo is for law enforcement purposes and is in accordance with Oregon House Bill 3273 for the identification of additional criminal activity.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at: www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip

Please reference CCSO Case # 24-024698

[END UPDATE]

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EARLIER (Friday, November 29, 2024): Investigation underway after person found deceased in Welches Area

Around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a deceased person found near East Highway 26 and East Miller Road in unincorporated Clackamas County.

When deputies arrived, they located a deceased individual. Investigators are now working to identify the person and determine the circumstances surrounding their death.

This is an active investigation, and the Sheriff’s Office will provide updates when more information becomes available.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online form at: www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip

[END]

John Wildhaber, Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
Communications Unit