Justice for Phoenix

By Christen Prudence, For The Mountain Times

A Brightwood man has been charged with the November 2024 murder of his wife. After a 15- month-long wait, the Mt. Hood Villages has closure for the murder of Susan Lane, more commonly known to locals as “Phoenix”. 

Michel Fournier was found guilty for murder in the second degree as a result of domestic violence, as well as unlawful use of a weapon. He was sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after 25 years.

The trial began on February 24th, 2026, in Oregon City at the Clackamas County Courthouse. Family and friends took the stand as witnesses to testify for the State of Oregon, along with detectives, crime scene investigators, forensics experts, and other professionals related to the case. Over seven days, Deputy District Attorneys John Millar and Alexander Hayes presented more than 530 pieces of evidence. Recorded interviews, phone calls, and handwritten letters of the defendant’s showed a lack of concern regarding his wife’s whereabouts, and a probable motive evidenced by his continued focus on property and assets. 

Lane was reported missing after failing to open the Hoodland Bazaar on November 22, 2024, where she was employed. She was last seen closing the shop the night before. Friends in the community were concerned, as Lane had expressed fear for herself and her dogs’ safety. She had just served her husband, Michel Fournier, divorce papers less than 48 hours prior. Lane’s white F250 truck was discovered by her friend Cari Gesch the day after she was reported missing.

Lane’s vehicle’s location on Salmon River Road initially led investigators to conduct a search for her as a missing hiker in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Search and Rescue deployed drones and scent dogs along with trained personnel for four days before being called off.  Search efforts continued by Lane’s friend James Evans, who organized a search party to look in the area near Lane’s property on November 29, 2024.  When scouting the area before taking volunteers there, Evans discovered Lane under tarps, just behind some debris and other garbage dumped at the Miller Rd turnout along Highway 26.

Lane died as a result of gunshot wounds to the chest, back of neck, and ear. Forensic evidence was gathered at their home in Brightwood, where the crime took place. Video surveillance footage showed Fournier driving Lane’s truck with her two Malinois-mix dogs, Elrond and Elros, in the pickup’s bed, through Sandy, Gresham, and along Airport Way, to where Lane’s cell phone stopped communicating with cell towers. The phone was recovered in the Columbia River by detectives. 

Footage continued to follow Fournier and the dogs to Corbett, where their bodies were later found; he strangled and dumped them. In a videotape confession from January 2025, Fournier admitted to using a leash to strangle the dogs. Video surveillance footage showed Fournier returning through Gresham and Sandy without the dogs, and driving on Salmon River Road that evening. 

During interviews, Fournier told investigators he had been poisoned by Lane, although no evidence was substantiated through forensic analysis; his story was inconsistent throughout questioning.

Text messages between Lane and Fournier were presented as evidence. In a text message sent on October 29, 2024, Fournier referred to Lane’s .22 long-rifle firearm, which was later used to kill her. “Well, with the amount of anger and aggressiveness and as impulsive as you are, putting them out of harm's way is the prudent and appropriate way to deal with them.”  In another text message from November 2, 2024 Fournier gaslighted Lane, saying “You know babe, that you could think for a moment that I could harm these animals is pretty concerning., Even when they were disobeying, you have never seen me raise my voice or be aggressive towards them. Now, that you could be worried about me doing anything to them really points to a serious paranoia problem on your part. We really need to get you checked out. Your behavior as of late is becoming quite concerning.”  In October and November 2024, witnesses in the community saw Lane bring her dogs with her to work, as she was afraid for their wellbeing.

At the closing arguments given on February 4, 2026, Deputy District Attorney Alexander Hayes gave a heartfelt and persuasive argument summarizing the timeline, and reviewed evidence that proved Michel Fournier was responsible for the murder of “Phoenix” Susan Lane. Hayes opened closing arguments by stating “Ms. Lane was this close to getting away from the very thing that killed her, the defendant, Mr. Fournier.”  Hayes went on saying “the defendant was not prepared for the community’s response. He wasn’t. He had a plan, it was methodical and malicious, but the community’s response threw him off guard because the community of Welches/Brightwood came together and made sure that the defendant did not get away with the brutal execution of his wife, Ms. Lane.”

Jurors spent about four hours deliberating the following day before reaching their decision. They found him guilty of second-degree murder resulting from domestic violence, and unlawful use of a firearm. Friends and family were able to address Fournier as they gave emotional victim impact statements. Fournier declined to respond, but maintained direct eye contact as he listened.

Circuit Judge Cody Weston issued a sentence of life in prison with a possibility of parole after 25 years. After sentencing, Fournier’s own defense attorney, Shannon Kmetic, took a moment to compose herself before responding to Judge Weston, as she held back tears and acknowledged the impact she has felt from working the case, explaining that domestic violence cases are some of the most important to be presented in court.

Fournier also has two felony charges of aggravated animal abuse in the first-degree with a trial pending for the murder of Lane’s beloved dogs, Elros and Elrond.