48 Hours investigates the murder of Susan “Phoenix” Lane, a 61-year-old Oregon woman whose disappearance sparked a search involving friends, relatives, volunteers and law enforcement, in “Murder at Mount Hood,” airing Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 10/9c on CBS. Correspondent Peter Van Sant examines the killing, the investigation that exposed contradictions in her husband’s account and the evidence that led to his conviction.
Lane lived in Brightwood, Oregon, near Mount Hood, where she worked at the Hoodland Bazaar in Welches. Known to friends and colleagues as Phoenix, she was a mother of two sons and devoted to her dogs, Elrond and Elros.
In November 2024, Lane was preparing to end her marriage to Michel Fournier, her husband of approximately 12 years. She had filed for divorce and was taking steps to protect her belongings and personal documents. Friends and prosecutors described a relationship marked by conflict and concerns about her safety.
Lane was last seen alive on November 21, 2024. When she failed to arrive at work the following day, her employer reported her missing. Her two dogs had disappeared with her, prompting fears that something had happened to all three.
Search teams combed the forests and mountain roads surrounding Mount Hood. Fournier claimed his wife had disappeared while he was in Portland obtaining a vehicle part, but investigators discovered surveillance footage that contradicted his account.
On November 29, 2024, a community member discovered Lane’s body concealed beneath a tarp approximately 400 yards from the home she shared with Fournier. Investigators determined that she had been shot three times with a .22-calibre rifle.
The bodies of her two dogs were recovered during the investigation, adding to the devastation experienced by her family and friends.
Fournier was arrested and charged with murder. In March 2026, a Clackamas County jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. Jurors also determined that the killing constituted domestic violence.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 25 years. Separate aggravated animal abuse charges concerning the deaths of Elrond and Elros remained pending when his murder sentence was announced.
The 48 Hours investigation examines how a community search uncovered the murder, how surveillance footage undermined Fournier’s account and how Lane’s family and friends fought to establish what happened to her.
- Who Was Susan “Phoenix” Lane? The Oregon Mother Murdered Near Mount Hood After Filing for Divorce – 2026 Update
- Who Is Michel Fournier? The Oregon Man Convicted of Murdering His Wife Susan “Phoenix” Lane & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update
Who Was Susan “Phoenix” Lane?
Susan Marie Lane, known as Phoenix, was a 61-year-old woman who lived in Brightwood, Oregon, near the Mount Hood National Forest.
She worked at the Hoodland Bazaar in Welches, a community along the Mount Hood corridor. Her employment made her a familiar presence among customers and colleagues.
Lane was the mother of two sons, Jesse and Dakota Lane, and had a brother named Mike Lane.
Her family and friendships formed an important part of her life in the mountain community.
Friends described her as a strong, independent woman who expressed her personality without concern for conventional expectations.
Cari Gesch, one of her friends, remembered her as someone who was not afraid to be herself.
Lane was devoted to her two dogs, Elrond and Elros, which accompanied her on walks and outdoor activities.
Her connection to the animals became significant after all three disappeared in November 2024.
For the people who knew her, Phoenix was a mother, sister, colleague and friend whose absence was out of character.
Susan Lane’s Life in the Mount Hood Community
Lane lived in Brightwood, an unincorporated community in Clackamas County, Oregon, near the western slopes of Mount Hood.
The area is known for its forests, mountain roads, rivers and small communities along U.S. Highway 26.
Residents have access to the Mount Hood National Forest, where hiking and outdoor recreation form part of local life.
Lane was familiar with the area and spent time outdoors with her dogs.
Her work at the Hoodland Bazaar in Welches connected her with residents and visitors travelling through the Mount Hood corridor.
The business became an important point of contact when she failed to arrive for work.
Her colleagues knew her routine and recognised that her unexplained absence was unusual.
That familiarity helped bring attention to her disappearance and prompted an investigation.
The community’s knowledge of Lane and the surrounding landscape would become important during the search for her.
Who Were Susan Lane’s Sons and Family?
Lane was the mother of two sons, Jesse and Dakota Lane.
Both became involved in the public account of their mother’s death and participated in the 48 Hours investigation.
Her brother, Mike Lane, also appears in the programme, providing the perspective of a family member who experienced her disappearance and the subsequent murder investigation.
The family faced uncertainty after Lane vanished in November 2024.
Her disappearance raised concerns because she had not arrived at work and her dogs were missing.
The discovery of her body transformed the family’s search for answers into a homicide case.
The criminal proceedings against Michel Fournier brought the family into court as prosecutors presented evidence concerning the killing.
Dakota Lane addressed Fournier during victim impact statements following the March 2026 verdict.
His statement reflected the anger and grief caused by the loss of his mother.
The family’s participation in the prosecution and television investigation helped preserve Lane’s identity beyond the circumstances of her death.
Susan Lane’s Dogs Elrond and Elros
Lane was devoted to her two dogs, Elrond and Elros, described in reports as large Belgian Malinois mixes.
The animals were closely associated with her daily life and outdoor activities.
Friends knew that Lane spent time with her dogs and regarded them as important companions.
Their disappearance alongside her raised concerns when she failed to arrive at work.
Investigators and volunteers searched for the dogs while attempting to locate Lane.
At first, the possibility that she had become lost while hiking remained part of the missing-person investigation.
But friends questioned that explanation because of the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
The dogs’ absence became another important element in the investigation.
Their bodies were recovered after Lane’s remains were discovered, and Fournier faced separate criminal allegations concerning their deaths.
For Lane’s friends, the deaths of Elrond and Elros added to the loss of a woman whose connection to her animals was part of her identity.
Susan Lane’s Marriage to Michel Fournier
Lane had been married to Michel Fournier for approximately 12 years when she disappeared in November 2024.
The couple lived together in Brightwood, near Mount Hood.
Their marriage had deteriorated, and Lane had begun taking steps to end the relationship.
Court documents showed that she filed for divorce on October 31, 2024, citing irreconcilable differences.
The filing stated that the marriage had suffered a breakdown that could not be repaired.
The couple remained legally married when Lane was killed.
Prosecutors argued that the impending divorce created a dispute over property and control.
The home where they lived was in Lane’s name, and prosecutors maintained that Fournier feared losing access to the property.
The breakdown of the marriage became central to the prosecution’s explanation of the killing.
Why Susan Lane Wanted a Divorce
By autumn 2024, Lane had decided to end her marriage to Fournier.
She filed for divorce on October 31, beginning the legal process of dissolving the relationship.
According to prosecutors, the couple’s dispute involved the home they shared and other property.
Lane was taking measures to protect her belongings and important documents.
Friends described her as increasingly concerned about her safety.
She began bringing her dogs and personal documents to work rather than leaving them at home.
Those precautions became significant when investigators reconstructed the events preceding her disappearance.
Prosecutors argued that Fournier’s concern about losing the home created a motive for murder.
The divorce proceedings placed the couple’s deteriorating relationship at the centre of the investigation.
The Warning Signs Before Susan Lane Disappeared
Friends and prosecutors described signs of conflict between Lane and Fournier before her death.
Lane had begun taking precautions involving her dogs, documents and personal belongings.
She brought important items to her workplace, indicating concern about leaving them at the marital home.
The precautions occurred while she was pursuing a divorce.
Her friends were aware that the marriage had deteriorated.
Some later said they suspected Fournier’s involvement when Lane disappeared.
The concerns became important because Fournier would claim that his wife had left the property while he was away.
Investigators examined the circumstances of the marriage and the steps Lane had taken before her death.
The information provided context for the prosecution’s theory that the killing arose from a domestic dispute.
Susan Lane Serves Divorce Papers on November 20, 2024
On November 20, 2024, Lane served Fournier with divorce papers.
The action followed her October 31 filing and represented a significant step towards ending the marriage.
The service of the documents occurred shortly before Lane disappeared.
Prosecutors argued that the divorce proceedings and the potential division of property created a motive for Fournier.
The home where the couple lived was in Lane’s name.
According to the prosecution, Fournier feared losing the property as the marriage ended.
The timing of the divorce papers became important during the murder trial.
Lane was last seen alive the following day, November 21.
Her disappearance was reported on November 22, and investigators determined that she had been killed during that period.
The proximity between the divorce proceedings and the murder became central to the prosecution’s account.
The Last Time Susan Lane Was Seen Alive
Lane was last seen alive on November 21, 2024.
She had been preparing to leave her marriage and had taken steps to protect herself and her belongings.
Her friends and colleagues knew that she was dealing with the breakdown of her relationship.
The following day, she failed to arrive at work.
Her absence was unusual enough that her employer contacted authorities.
Lane’s two dogs were missing, adding to concerns about her whereabouts.
Investigators began examining whether she had left voluntarily, become lost in the surrounding wilderness or experienced harm.
The circumstances of her disappearance raised questions because she had not informed friends or colleagues of plans to leave.
Her family and friends began searching for information about her final movements.
The investigation would establish that she had been killed rather than becoming lost during an outdoor excursion.
Susan Lane Reported Missing on November 22, 2024
Lane was reported missing on November 22, 2024, after failing to arrive at work.
Her employer recognised that the unexplained absence was inconsistent with her normal routine.
The disappearance prompted concern among relatives, friends and members of the Mount Hood community.
Her two dogs were also missing.
Authorities began examining the circumstances and gathering information about her last known movements.
The surrounding forests and mountain roads presented a large search area.
Initial reports considered the possibility that Lane had gone hiking with her dogs.
But friends questioned whether that explanation matched her behaviour and the circumstances surrounding her marriage.
The investigation expanded as search teams and volunteers attempted to locate her.
The search would continue for a week before her body was discovered.
The Search Through Mount Hood’s Forests
The search for Lane involved law enforcement, search-and-rescue personnel and community volunteers.
Teams examined areas around Brightwood, Welches and the Mount Hood National Forest.
The landscape included wooded terrain, mountain roads and areas where a missing person could be difficult to locate.
Searchers attempted to identify locations Lane might have visited with her dogs.
Her familiarity with the region complicated the assumption that she had become lost.
Friends maintained that her disappearance was inconsistent with her normal behaviour.
The search involved people who knew Lane and were determined to find her.
Community members organised efforts beyond the initial law enforcement response.
Their persistence became significant because a volunteer would discover the body near the home Lane shared with Fournier.
The Friends Who Refused to Stop Searching
Lane’s friends played an important role in the search and the investigation that followed.
Sarah Caswell, Khristen Prudence and Cari Gesch were among those who spoke about her disappearance and the circumstances surrounding her marriage.
They described a woman who was dependable and connected to the people around her.
Her failure to arrive at work and the disappearance of her dogs caused concern.
Some friends believed that Lane had not become lost while hiking.
They suspected that the circumstances surrounding her marriage were connected to her disappearance.
The group continued seeking answers while search teams examined the surrounding area.
Their efforts helped maintain attention on the case.
After Lane’s body was found, friends became part of the public account of her life and the violence that ended it.
Their testimony and statements helped explain why the community had been unwilling to accept the disappearance as an ordinary missing-hiker case.
James Evans Organises a Community Search
James Evans was among the community members who helped organise efforts to find Lane.
The search brought together people familiar with the Mount Hood area and concerned about her disappearance.
Volunteers examined locations near Brightwood and the surrounding forests.
Their work continued while investigators gathered information about Lane’s last known movements.
The community search became important because Lane’s body was not found during the initial search efforts.
Friends and volunteers continued examining areas that might provide answers.
On November 29, a community member discovered her remains near the home she shared with Fournier.
The discovery changed the investigation from a missing-person case into a murder inquiry.
The role of volunteers became a central part of the story because their persistence helped locate Lane.
The search demonstrated the significance of local involvement in a case involving a missing resident.
Michel Fournier’s Account of His Wife’s Disappearance
When investigators questioned Fournier, he claimed that Lane had disappeared while he was away from home.
He said he had travelled to Portland to obtain a vehicle part.
According to his account, he had hitchhiked to the city.
He maintained that when he returned, Lane’s truck and dogs were gone.
The explanation suggested that Lane had left the property during his absence.
Investigators examined his account as they attempted to reconstruct the events surrounding her disappearance.
Detectives sought surveillance footage and other evidence that could establish Fournier’s movements.
The investigation produced recordings that contradicted his claim about how he travelled to Portland.
Those contradictions became important to the prosecution.
They also raised questions about why Fournier had provided an inaccurate account of his movements.
Surveillance Footage Contradicts Fournier’s Story
Investigators obtained surveillance recordings from an auto parts store in Portland.
The footage showed Fournier driving Lane’s truck.
Her dogs were visible inside the vehicle.
The recordings contradicted his claim that he had hitchhiked to Portland.
They also undermined his statement that Lane’s truck and dogs had disappeared while he was away.
The footage placed Fournier in possession of the vehicle and the animals during the period investigators were examining.
Detectives considered the evidence alongside his account of Lane’s disappearance.
The contradiction became important because it suggested that Fournier had misrepresented his movements.
The prosecution used the footage to challenge his explanation and establish a sequence of events connected to the crime.
The Truck Seen Near the Columbia River
Investigators obtained additional surveillance footage showing Lane’s truck near Northeast Marine Drive in Portland.
The area runs alongside the Columbia River.
The recordings became significant because detectives were attempting to trace Fournier’s movements and locate evidence connected to Lane.
The footage helped identify an area where investigators could conduct a search.
Authorities examined the river and surrounding locations for items that might have been discarded.
The search produced a crucial piece of evidence.
Investigators recovered Lane’s destroyed cellphone from the Columbia River.
The discovery became part of the prosecution’s reconstruction of events following her disappearance.
The phone’s location was considered alongside the surveillance footage showing Fournier driving her truck.
The evidence helped connect his movements to efforts to dispose of items associated with Lane.
Susan Lane’s Destroyed Cellphone Recovered
Investigators recovered Lane’s damaged cellphone from the Columbia River.
The discovery followed surveillance evidence placing her truck near Northeast Marine Drive.
The phone became important because investigators were examining what had happened to Lane and her belongings after she disappeared.
Its recovery provided physical evidence associated with the period following the murder.
Prosecutors considered the destroyed device alongside Fournier’s movements and the statements he had given to police.
The evidence supported their contention that he had attempted to conceal information about the crime.
The available case details do not establish every forensic result obtained from the device.
Its significance lay in the recovery location, condition and connection to the wider investigation.
The discovery added to the evidence contradicting Fournier’s account.
Susan Lane’s Body Found on November 29, 2024
On November 29, 2024, a community member discovered Lane’s body concealed beneath a tarp.
The location was approximately 400 yards from the home she shared with Fournier.
The discovery came one week after she had been reported missing.
It confirmed that Lane had not disappeared during a hiking trip or become lost in the surrounding wilderness.
Investigators examined the scene and began reconstructing how she had been killed.
The location of her body became important because it was close to the marital home.
The discovery also raised questions about whether the body had been concealed to prevent searchers from finding it.
Authorities determined that Lane had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
The investigation shifted towards a homicide prosecution.
Fournier was arrested following the discovery.
How Was Susan Lane Murdered?
Investigators determined that Lane had been shot three times with a .22-calibre rifle.
The gunshot wounds involved her head, neck and chest.
The medical findings established that she had been the victim of a fatal shooting.
Investigators concluded that the killing occurred at the Brightwood home she shared with Fournier on November 22, 2024.
The prosecution used the medical evidence to establish the circumstances of the murder.
The location and nature of the injuries formed part of the case presented to jurors.
The body had been concealed beneath a tarp near the home.
That discovery supported the prosecution’s account that Fournier had attempted to hide the killing.
The evidence became central to the murder charge.
The Deaths of Elrond and Elros
Lane’s dogs, Elrond and Elros, disappeared at the same time she did.
Their absence became an important part of the missing-person investigation because the animals were closely attached to her.
After Lane’s body was discovered, authorities continued searching for the dogs.
On November 30, 2024, investigators recovered two dead dogs in the Mount Hood National Forest.
The bodies were transferred to Clackamas County authorities for examination.
Investigators pursued evidence concerning whether the animals were Lane’s missing dogs and how they had died.
The deaths became the subject of separate criminal allegations against Fournier.
He faced two counts of first-degree aggravated animal abuse.
Those charges were distinct from the murder prosecution and had not been resolved when his life sentence was announced in March 2026.
For Lane’s friends and family, the deaths of the animals added to the tragedy.
Why Prosecutors Said Fournier Killed His Wife
Prosecutors argued that Fournier killed Lane because he feared losing property during their divorce.
The couple had been married for approximately 12 years.
Lane filed for divorce on October 31, 2024, and served Fournier with papers on November 20.
The home they shared was in Lane’s name.
The prosecution maintained that Fournier was concerned about losing the property as the marriage ended.
The timing of the divorce proceedings became central to the alleged motive.
Lane was last seen alive on November 21 and was killed on November 22.
Prosecutors argued that the killing arose from the deteriorating marriage and Fournier’s concerns about property.
The jury’s subsequent domestic violence finding supported the legal conclusion that the murder occurred in the context of an intimate relationship.
The motive was presented as part of the prosecution’s case, while the verdict established Fournier’s criminal responsibility for the killing.
Michel Fournier Arrested for Murder
Fournier was arrested on November 29, 2024, after Lane’s body was discovered.
He was charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
The arrest followed the recovery of her body and the investigation into his movements during the period surrounding her disappearance.
Surveillance footage had contradicted his account of travelling to Portland by hitchhiking.
Investigators had also recovered Lane’s destroyed cellphone from the Columbia River.
The evidence became part of the prosecution’s case against him.
Fournier was 71 years old when he was arrested.
The charges exposed him to a substantial prison sentence if convicted.
The case proceeded through the Clackamas County court system before reaching trial in March 2026.
The Evidence Presented Against Michel Fournier
The prosecution’s case involved several categories of evidence.
The first concerned Lane’s deteriorating marriage and the divorce proceedings.
Prosecutors argued that the dispute over property provided a motive for murder.
The second concerned Fournier’s statements about his movements when Lane disappeared.
He claimed to have hitchhiked to Portland, but surveillance footage showed him driving her truck with the dogs inside.
Additional footage placed the truck near the Columbia River.
Investigators recovered Lane’s destroyed cellphone from the water.
The third category concerned the discovery of Lane’s body near the marital home.
The medical evidence established that she had been shot three times with a .22-calibre rifle.
The prosecution presented the evidence as part of a reconstruction of the killing and Fournier’s actions afterwards.
Michel Fournier’s Murder Trial in March 2026
Fournier stood trial in Clackamas County Circuit Court in March 2026.
The prosecution charged him with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
The trial lasted approximately a week, with evidence and testimony presented over several days.
Prosecutors examined the circumstances of Lane’s disappearance, the breakdown of her marriage and the physical evidence recovered during the investigation.
The jury heard about the divorce proceedings and the prosecution’s theory that Fournier feared losing the home.
Evidence also addressed his account of travelling to Portland and the surveillance footage that contradicted it.
The prosecution presented the discovery of Lane’s body and the medical findings concerning the gunshot wounds.
The defence contested the charges.
After the presentation of evidence and closing arguments, the case was submitted to the jury.
The verdict was delivered on March 5, 2026.
The Jury Finds Fournier Guilty
On March 5, 2026, a Clackamas County jury found Fournier guilty of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
The verdict followed approximately five hours of deliberation.
Jurors also determined that the killing constituted a domestic violence crime.
The finding reflected the legal context of the murder involving Fournier and his wife.
The verdict established Fournier’s criminal responsibility for Lane’s death.
It followed the prosecution’s presentation of evidence concerning the divorce, his movements and the discovery of her body.
The jury rejected the defence’s challenge to the charges.
The verdict brought the murder trial to a close more than 15 months after Lane disappeared.
The court proceeded to sentencing, with family members and friends given an opportunity to address the impact of the crime.
Dakota Lane Confronts His Mother’s Killer
Dakota Lane, one of Susan Lane’s sons, addressed Fournier during victim impact statements.
He spoke about his feelings towards the man convicted of murdering his mother.
His statement included the words, “I never liked you from the moment I met you.”
He also described the anger he felt during the proceedings.
The statement reflected the emotional consequences of the killing for Lane’s family.
Dakota’s appearance in court formed part of the sentencing proceedings following the jury’s verdict.
Victim impact statements allow relatives and other affected people to describe the consequences of a crime.
They do not determine guilt, which had been established by the jury.
For Lane’s family, the opportunity to address Fournier came after months of investigation and legal proceedings.
The sentencing hearing marked an important stage in the criminal case.
Friends Remember Phoenix Lane in Court
Lane’s friends also spoke about the loss during the sentencing proceedings.
Cari Gesch described Phoenix as a strong woman who was comfortable expressing her individuality.
She said that friends had suspected Fournier’s involvement from the beginning of the disappearance.
Her statement reflected the concerns that had driven the community search.
Khristen Prudence spoke about the deaths of Lane and her dogs.
She acknowledged that the verdict could not bring Phoenix, Elrond or Elros back.
The statements reflected the close relationships Lane had developed within the Mount Hood community.
They also demonstrated the impact of the killing beyond her immediate family.
Friends had participated in the search, supported the investigation and followed the prosecution.
The sentencing hearing gave them an opportunity to describe the person they had lost.
Michel Fournier Sentenced to Life in Prison
Following the guilty verdict, Fournier was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The sentence included the possibility of parole after 25 years.
Fournier was 72 years old at the time of sentencing.
The punishment followed his convictions for second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
The jury’s domestic violence finding formed part of the case’s legal outcome.
The sentence means Fournier must serve a substantial period in prison before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
Eligibility does not guarantee release.
A parole decision would depend on the applicable law and the circumstances at the time of review.
The sentence brought the murder prosecution to a close.
Separate criminal allegations concerning the deaths of Lane’s dogs remained outstanding when the sentence was announced.
The Animal Abuse Charges Against Fournier
Fournier faced separate charges arising from the deaths of Lane’s dogs.
Prosecutors confirmed that he was charged with two counts of first-degree aggravated animal abuse.
The charges concerned Elrond and Elros, which disappeared when Lane went missing.
Their bodies were recovered during the investigation.
The animal abuse allegations were not resolved by the jury’s verdict on the murder and weapon charges.
When Clackamas County announced Fournier’s life sentence on March 6, 2026, prosecutors said the separate charges remained pending.
The available information does not establish a final verdict or sentence on those counts.
It would be inaccurate to describe Fournier as convicted of killing the dogs without confirmation of a separate criminal outcome.
The allegations remain distinct from the murder conviction.
The deaths of the animals formed an important part of the case because of their close connection to Lane.
The Defence’s Response After Sentencing
Following Fournier’s sentencing, defence attorney Shannon Kmetic addressed the court.
She acknowledged the emotional burden associated with the case.
Kmetic also spoke about the importance of domestic violence proceedings within the criminal justice system.
Her comments came after the jury had returned guilty verdicts and the court imposed a life sentence.
The defence’s role throughout the proceedings was to represent Fournier and challenge the prosecution’s allegations.
The jury’s verdict established guilt on the murder and weapon charges.
The sentencing hearing brought together the legal outcome and statements from those affected by the killing.
For Lane’s family and friends, the proceedings represented a public acknowledgement of the harm caused by her death.
Where Is Michel Fournier Now?
Michel Fournier was sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2026 after being convicted of murdering Susan “Phoenix” Lane.
He was 72 years old at the time of sentencing.
The sentence provides for the possibility of parole after 25 years.
That means he would not reach the minimum parole eligibility period until approximately 2051, assuming the sentence is calculated from the March 2026 judgment without adjustments.
His precise current correctional facility has not been established through the information available for this article.
The documented criminal outcome is a conviction for second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
Fournier also faced separate aggravated animal abuse charges concerning Lane’s dogs.
Those charges were pending when his murder sentence was announced in March 2026, and no later disposition has been established here.
How the Mount Hood Community Helped Solve the Case
The investigation into Lane’s disappearance involved a significant community effort.
Friends and volunteers searched the forests and roads surrounding Brightwood and Mount Hood.
Their involvement was driven by concern that Lane’s disappearance did not match her normal behaviour.
Her absence from work and the disappearance of her dogs raised questions.
Community members continued searching even after initial efforts failed to locate her.
A volunteer discovered her body on November 29, approximately 400 yards from the home she shared with Fournier.
The discovery transformed the investigation into a murder case.
It also provided investigators with evidence that became central to the prosecution.
The role of volunteers demonstrated how local knowledge and persistence can contribute to a criminal investigation.
The community’s involvement continued through the trial and sentencing.
The Domestic Violence Finding in Fournier’s Trial
The jury determined that Lane’s murder constituted domestic violence.
The finding reflected the relationship between the victim and the convicted offender.
Lane and Fournier had been married for approximately 12 years and were in the process of divorcing.
Prosecutors argued that the dispute over property and the end of the marriage created a motive for the killing.
The evidence included Lane’s divorce filing, the service of papers and the circumstances surrounding her death.
The prosecution also described precautions she had taken before disappearing.
The domestic violence finding formed part of the legal outcome.
It placed the murder within the context of an intimate relationship marked by conflict.
The case drew attention to the risks associated with controlling behaviour and violence during the breakdown of a relationship.
The Unanswered Questions About Phoenix Lane’s Final Hours
The jury’s verdict established that Fournier was criminally responsible for Lane’s murder.
Investigators determined that she had been shot three times with a .22-calibre rifle.
Her body was discovered beneath a tarp near the marital home.
Surveillance footage contradicted Fournier’s account of travelling to Portland.
The recovery of Lane’s destroyed cellphone from the Columbia River provided further evidence concerning his movements.
The prosecution used the combined evidence to reconstruct the crime.
The available account does not establish every detail of Lane’s final conversations or the precise sequence of events inside the home.
Those limitations do not alter the jury’s verdict.
Fournier was convicted of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.
The criminal proceedings established responsibility for the killing while leaving some details of the final hours outside the public account.
Susan Lane’s Legacy After the Murder
Lane’s death left a lasting impact on her family and the Mount Hood community.
She was remembered as a mother, sister, friend and colleague who had developed strong connections with the people around her.
Her work at the Hoodland Bazaar made her a familiar figure in Welches.
Her dogs, Elrond and Elros, were an important part of her life.
The search for Lane brought together volunteers and friends determined to find her.
Their efforts became central to the discovery of her body and the investigation that followed.
The trial and sentencing provided a legal outcome for her murder.
Fournier’s conviction established responsibility for her death and resulted in a life sentence.
For those who knew Phoenix, the proceedings also provided an opportunity to speak about her life and the loss caused by the killing.
What Will 48 Hours Reveal in Murder at Mount Hood?
48 Hours examines the disappearance and murder of Susan “Phoenix” Lane in “Murder at Mount Hood.”
Correspondent Peter Van Sant reports on the investigation and the community search that led to the discovery of her body.
The episode features interviews with Lane’s sons Jesse and Dakota, her brother Mike Lane and friends Sarah Caswell, Khristen Prudence and Cari Gesch.
Their accounts provide insight into Lane’s life, her marriage and the concerns that arose when she disappeared.
James Evans discusses the community search effort.
Clackamas County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Clark and detectives Jim White and Alex Monarch provide perspectives on the investigation.
Prosecutors John Millar and Alexander Hayes examine the evidence presented against Fournier and the legal proceedings.
The programme revisits the surveillance footage, the discovery of Lane’s body and the trial that resulted in a murder conviction.
What Happened to Susan “Phoenix” Lane?
Susan “Phoenix” Lane was a 61-year-old Oregon woman who lived in Brightwood, near Mount Hood, with her husband Michel Fournier.
She worked at the Hoodland Bazaar in Welches and was the mother of two sons, Jesse and Dakota Lane.
In October 2024, Lane filed for divorce after approximately 12 years of marriage.
She served Fournier with divorce papers on November 20, 2024.
Lane was last seen alive on November 21 and was reported missing the following day after failing to arrive at work.
Her two dogs, Elrond and Elros, disappeared with her.
Friends, volunteers and search-and-rescue personnel searched the Mount Hood area.
Fournier claimed that Lane had disappeared while he was away in Portland obtaining a vehicle part.
Surveillance footage contradicted his account, showing him driving her truck with the dogs inside.
Investigators recovered Lane’s destroyed cellphone from the Columbia River.
On November 29, a community member discovered her body beneath a tarp approximately 400 yards from the marital home.
Investigators determined that she had been shot three times with a .22-calibre rifle.
The bodies of her dogs were recovered during the investigation.
Fournier was arrested and charged with murder.
On March 5, 2026, a Clackamas County jury found him guilty of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon, with a domestic violence finding.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
Separate aggravated animal abuse charges concerning the deaths of Lane’s dogs remained pending when his murder sentence was announced.
The case is examined in 48 Hours: Murder at Mount Hood, airing Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 10/9c on CBS, with streaming on Paramount+.
More “Murder at Mount Hood”
- “Murder at Mount Hood”: 48 Hours Reports on Susan “Phoenix” Lane’s Homicide November 14 2026
- Who Was Susan “Phoenix” Lane? The Oregon Mother Murdered Near Mount Hood After Filing for Divorce – 2026 Update
- Who Is Michel Fournier? The Oregon Man Convicted of Murdering His Wife Susan “Phoenix” Lane & Where Is He Now? 2026 Update