Michel Fournier sentenced to life in prison for murdering his wife

A Clackamas County jury found Michel Fournier guilty Thursday of murdering his wife in 2024 shortly after she filed for divorce. 

Fournier, 72, was convicted on charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon after an eight-day trial in Clackamas County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years. 

Fournier murdered his estranged wife, Susan Marie Lane, 61, at their Brightwood home on Nov. 22, 2024, shooting her in the head, neck and chest with a .22-caliber rifle. 

Fournier covered her body with a tarp and hid it within 400 yards of their house. He also killed Lane’s two dogs by strangling them and disposed of their bodies to add to the appearance Lane was missing.

Fournier and Lane had been married for 12 years. Lane served Fournier with divorce documents on Nov. 20, 2024. She had become increasingly fearful of Fournier and began taking proactive measures to protect her dogs and important documents.

Prosecutor Alex Hayes told jurors that Fournier devised a methodical and malicious plan that resulted in a “brutal execution.”

Prosecutors said Fournier was motivated by his fear of losing property in the divorce. Fournier specifically feared losing their shared home, which was in Susan Lane’s name. 

On Nov. 29, Lane’s body was located by a community member who was determined to find her. Fournier was arrested. The bodies of Lane’s dogs were discovered in Multnomah County.

Lane was last seen alive on Nov. 21. The following day, Lane’s employer reported that she hadn’t shown up for work. Friends and concerned Brightwood residents began a search for her.

Fournier did not initially report Lane as missing but ended up calling 911 on Nov. 24 after detectives attempted to contact him. While on the phone with dispatch Fournier was asked if he reported Lane as missing, he responded, “No, but I’m doing it now, I just got served with divorce papers.”

When Fournier initially was questioned by deputies, he told them he had last seen her on Nov. 22, that her truck was at the house and her dogs with her. Fournier said he had hitchhiked to Portland that day to get a part to repair his vehicle.

 Fournier said when he returned, Lane was gone and so was her truck and her dogs. 

 Investigators obtained surveillance video from an auto parts store that showed Fournier was driving Lane’s truck and her dogs were with him. 

When questioned about the video, Fournier offered no explanation. 

Lane’s truck also was seen on surveillance video on Northeast Marine Drive parking next to the Columbia River. Investigators searched the area and found Lane’s cell phone destroyed and submerged in the river.

Fournier still faces charges of Aggravated Animal Abuse in the First Degree for killing the dogs. 

Deputy District Attorneys Alex Hayes and John Millar prosecuted the case. 

Clackamas County Circuit Court case 24CR63412