Estranged husband arrested after wife and her 2 dogs found deceased

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. (TCN) -- Authorities recently arrested a 71-year-old man on suspicion of killing his missing 61-year-old estranged wife and her two dogs.

According to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Susan Lane-Fournier was reported missing on Nov. 22 after she failed to show up to work. The following day, an individual located Lane-Fournier’s white 1992 Ford F-250 parked near East Salmon River Road and the Green Canyon Way Trail. Prior to her disappearance, Lane-Fournier went on a hike in the area with her two Malinois dogs. Several law enforcement agencies searched for the 61-year-old but ceased operations on Nov. 26 due to "weather conditions and the likelihood of survivability."

After a multi-day search, investigators with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team found human remains near Welches on Nov. 29. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office positively identified the victim as Lane-Fournier and ruled her death a homicide.

On Nov. 30, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office located two deceased dogs believed to be Lane-Fournier’s. Authorities are working to positively identify the dogs and have not disclosed how they died or whether foul play was involved.

Detectives identified Michel Fournier as the primary suspect in Lane-Fournier’s death and arrested him on a charge of second-degree murder. He remains held in the Clackamas County Jail without bail.

According to court documents reviewed by KOIN-TV, prior to her death, Lane-Fournier had filed for divorce after 12 years of marriage with Fournier.

MORE: