CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. — Community members gathered Monday night to grieve the loss of Susan Lane-Fournier, the 61-year-old Brightwood woman who was found dead in Clackamas County on Friday. Clackamas County Sheriff's officials arrested Lane-Fournier's estranged husband, 71-year-old Michel Fournier, on a charge of second-degree murder.
Lane-Fournier, known affectionately by her friends as "Phoenix," worked at the Hoodland Bazaar in Welches. On Monday, friends, family and community members gathered there for a vigil to remember Lane-Fournier. Court documents show she had filed for divorce from Fournier less than a month earlier, citing irreconcilable differences.
"She was just this whirlwind of energy and she was just so loud and so comfortable in who she was," said Lane-Fournier's friend, Cari Gesch. "She was just one of the strongest women I know."
Despite that, Gesch said Lane-Fournier had been scared of serving divorce papers to her estranged husband.
"She was very nervous about it. She was afraid he was going to do something to her and her dogs, and that's exactly what happened," Gesch said.
Lane-Fournier disappeared on Nov. 22. Initial reports suggested she might have gone hiking in the Mount Hood National Forest. A days-long effort by search and rescue teams to find Lane-Fournier yielded no results, but her body was later found by a friend, according to multiple sources. Lane-Fournier's two dogs were also discovered deceased. Michel Fournier is currently being held without bail in the Clackamas County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday.
Lane-Fournier leaves behind two adult sons, Jesse and Dakota Lane. During Monday's vigil, Jesse Lane shared the story of his mother's nickname, "Phoenix" — a mythical creature that rises from its own ashes. He said the name stemmed from a difficult period in her life when Lane's father was killed in a car crash.
"I remember her collapsing on the ground," Lane said. "I remember it shaking her to the core. I remember her now being a single mom trying to take care of two kids."
The community is rallying around Lane-Fournier's sons through fundraising efforts to support them in the midst of their loss.
"I'm so humbled by all of you," Lane said, expressing his appreciation.
As the community mourns Lane-Fournier, many are also determined to use her story to raise awareness about domestic violence. They want to provide support and resources for others who might need it.
"Makes me think of all women who are possibly in a domestic violence situation," said Lane-Fournier's friend, Liz Cox. "They could be the most beautiful, energized, friendly person that you see, and they have this demon that they're battling at home. You never know."
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). You can also visit www.thehotline.org for confidential support and resources.