A retired Auburn University veterinary professor was killed Saturday morning while walking her dog in a popular public park, and police arrested a man Sunday on two counts of capital murder, authorities said.
Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, was found dead in a wooded area of Kiesel Park in Auburn, Alabama, after going there to walk her dog, the Auburn Police Department said. Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton told The Associated Press that she died from multiple sharp-force injuries. Schnuelle’s red Ford F-150 truck was reported missing.
Police arrested Harold Rashad Dabney III and charged him with two counts of capital murder on Sunday. Court documents indicate investigators believe Schnuelle was killed during an attempted kidnapping and theft. Dabney is being held without bond.
Investigators said officers responded to a report of a suspicious person and made observations that led them to believe Dabney had involvement in the homicide. Police did not immediately detail what those observations were. Andrew Stanley, a defense attorney appointed to represent Dabney, declined to comment Monday, saying the case was in its early stages.
Schnuelle, a 1996 graduate of Auburn’s veterinary school, was a large animal veterinarian who served on the university faculty from 2003 until her retirement in 2021 as a professor of theriogenology. She had recently served as Area Veterinarian in Charge with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Alabama and Mississippi and remained active with the veterinary school after retiring.
"Dr. Gard Schnuelle was a beloved educator, mentor, researcher and colleague whose passion for teaching, dedication to students, and commitment to theriogenology earned the respect and admiration of all who knew her," Auburn University said in a statement. "Dr. Gard Schnuelle’s legacy of compassion, scholarship and service will continue to inspire generations of veterinarians."
Schnuelle’s dog was found safe and returned to her family, local station WRBL reported. Flowers were placed at the gate to the park as community members mourned, and Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said residents felt both anger and "profound sadness." "Her death through a violent crime at a location that so many enjoy and felt safe in has devastated all who knew her and the community as a whole," Jones said.
Kiesel Park, located about five miles (8 kilometers) from Auburn’s campus, is a sprawling public space with a dog park and roughly two miles (3.2 kilometers) of walking trails. The park is frequently used by residents and students.
Authorities have not released a motive beyond the allegation in charging documents that the killing occurred during an attempted kidnapping and theft. Police said the investigation remains active and asked anyone with information to contact the Auburn Police Department.
Schnuelle’s death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from colleagues and former students. The university’s statement praised her work as an educator and mentor and highlighted her contributions to veterinary medicine and student training. Court proceedings for Dabney have not been scheduled publicly; he remains in custody as investigators continue their inquiry.