Welches man receives life sentence following conviction for the 2024 murder of his wife

A Welches man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2024 murder of his wife, Susan Lane, following a seven-day trial in Clackamas County.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 4:19 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from FOX 12 Oregon

Jury verdict and sentencing details

On March 5, 2026, a jury in Clackamas County, Oregon, delivered a guilty verdict against Michael Fournier for the murder of his wife, Susan Phoenix Lane. The jury deliberated for approximately five hours following a seven day trial before convicting Fournier of second degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. In their findings, jurors specifically designated the homicide as a domestic violence crime. Fournier, who is in his 70s, was sentenced to life in prison and will not be eligible for parole for at least 25 years.

Background of the disappearance and investigation

The criminal case originated in November 2024, occurring just two weeks after Susan Lane had filed for divorce from Fournier. The investigation began when a coworker reported Lane missing. Following an extensive search and rescue operation that lasted several days, authorities discovered her body in a wooded area in close proximity to the home she shared with Fournier in Welches. Throughout the trial, friends and family maintained that Lane was a vibrant individual and rejected the initial possibility that she had simply become a missing hiker, consistently pointing toward Fournier’s involvement.

Victim impact and family testimony

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard emotional victim impact statements from Lane’s family and friends. Her son, Dakota Lane, spoke directly to Fournier, expressing long standing distrust and fury over the loss of his mother. Friends described Susan Lane as a fierce and independent woman who was not afraid to be herself. The prosecution highlighted the calculated nature of the crime, occurring during a sensitive period of marital separation, while defense attorney Shannon Kmetic acknowledged the profound emotional weight and importance of hearing domestic violence cases in a public forum.