Authorities in Oregon have decided to halt the search for a missing 61-year-old hiker, Susan Lane-Fournier, and her two dogs due to adverse weather conditions and concerns about survivability. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office made this announcement, stating that despite the suspension of search operations, an active investigation into her disappearance is ongoing.
Susan Lane-Fournier went missing last week while hiking with her two large Malinois-mix dogs in the Green Canyon Way Trail area near Welches, close to Mt. Hood. Over the course of several days, numerous search volunteers, drone teams, and K9 units dedicated more than 800 hours to scouring over 100 miles of trails in the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. Unfortunately, no signs of Lane-Fournier were found during these extensive search efforts.
The sheriff’s office is now focused on establishing a timeline leading up to the disappearance of the Brightwood resident, who is described as being about 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, and having reddish-brown hair. Deputies initially attempted to locate Lane-Fournier at her home after she was reported missing by her employer when she failed to show up for work. A community member later reported seeing her parked truck near the trail where she went missing.
Investigators are urging anyone with information about Susan Lane-Fournier’s whereabouts leading up to her disappearance to come forward. The case remains open, and authorities are seeking to piece together the events that preceded her vanishing.
The decision to suspend the search operations was based on the challenging weather conditions and concerns about the chances of survival in the wilderness. Despite the efforts of dedicated search teams, including volunteers and K9 units, the search for Susan Lane-Fournier has been put on hold for now. The sheriff’s office is committed to continuing their investigation and gathering any information that may help shed light on the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
As the community awaits updates on this developing case, it is crucial for anyone who may have seen Susan Lane-Fournier or has relevant information to come forward and assist the authorities in their efforts to locate her. The search may be on hold, but the investigation into her disappearance remains active, and every piece of information could be vital in bringing her home safely.
