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Friends of 'Phoenix' will 'miss her energy'

WELCHES, Ore. (KOIN) -- At the Hoodland Bazaar in Welches, candles and flowers lit the space where Susan Lane-Fournier worked and dreamed.

Dozens of family and friends gathered Monday night to honor the life of the woman they called Phoenix, a name forged from her trials and embodying a spirit that rose unbroken from life's ashes.

"I'm just going to miss her energy," friend Cari Gesch told KOIN 6 News. "Every time I saw her, she brought a smile to my face, and I laughed and laughed and laughed."

Cari Gesch, a friend of Susan Lane-Fournier, was at her vigil in Welches, December 2, 2024 (KOIN)

Susan's husband, Michel Fournier, was arrested hours after her body was found and is expected to be arraigned on a murder charge on Tuesday.

Her disappearance on November 22 and death hit Gesch hard, who said she was the one who discovered Lane-Fournier's truck -- the clue that sparked a days-long search through the Mount Hood National Forest.

"Something about it just kind of struck me as odd and for whatever reason it stuck in my head," she said.

Six days later, Lane-Fournier's body was found under a tarp near her home in Clackamas County. Two dogs believed to be hers that went missing the same day, were found dead Saturday in Multnomah County.

Christen Prudence said she was the last person to speak with Susan. The lessons she left behind echo in death.

"Tomorrow's aren't guaranteed," Prudence said. "She's teaching me that."

The community is rallying behind the family and returning the kindness "Phoenix" always shared. Now it's for her sons, supporting them as they face funeral and legal costs.

Susan’s family authorized this GoFundMe to help with immediate and future costs, legal fees

"I've never seen people rise up like this. I think this is just Phoenix's energy, for sure, like she's touching people that don't even know her and people are being inspired by her and want to support the community and her friends and family that are hurting right now," Prudence said.

In the days before her body was found, her son, Dakota Lane, told KOIN 6 News he was overwhelmed by the community support.

Dakota Lane, the son of Susan Lane-Fournier, who was killed near her home in Welches. November 24, 2024 (KOIN)

"The amount of support and sympathy from the community, it's not something that I'm personally used to," Lane said at that time. "It's nice to know that there's people that cared enough for her to bring all this support out."

Susan Lane-Fournier -- Phoenix to her friends -- left a lasting impact.

"I'm going to think about her everyday," Prudence said. "I am going to miss her. There will be a hole in our community where she's leaving."

Investigators said they are still looking to speak with anyone who may have seen Michel Fournier or may have knowledge of his whereabouts in the days before Lane-Fournier’s disappearance.

KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.

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