A retired Auburn University professor was found dead Saturday in a wooded area of Kiesel Park in Auburn, Alabama, and a 26-year-old man was arrested on Sunday on two counts of capital murder in connection with the death, police said.
Auburn Police Department officials said officers initially answered a 911 call reporting a deceased person. The victim, identified by police as 59-year-old Julie Schnuelle, had injuries that indicated her death was caused by an assault. Schnuelle’s dog was not harmed, according to local reporting.
Police arrested Harold Rashad Dabney III on Sunday after a separate 8:30 a.m. call about a "suspicious person," the department said in a news release. Detectives said they "made observations that led them to believe Dabney had involvement with the homicide." Dabney was booked into the Lee County Jail without bond.
Authorities also allege Dabney stole a red Ford F-150 that belonged to Schnuelle; police said the vehicle has been recovered. No additional information about a possible motive was released by investigators.
Auburn University identified Schnuelle as a professor emerita in the College of Veterinary Medicine who served from 2003 until her retirement in 2021. In a statement provided to news outlets, the university described her as a "cherished educator, mentor and colleague" whose dedication to students and work in theriogenology left a lasting impact.
"She was a force in this world, such a bright, bright light," a former student, Destinee Bearden Patterson, told AL.com. Another acquaintance, Ashley Rutter, said Schnuelle frequented Kiesel Park and was known locally for running there every day and for being welcoming and outspoken on behalf of others.
Police did not release additional details about the circumstances of the attack, citing the ongoing investigation. Officials requested anyone with information to contact Auburn Police Department detectives.
The case is being handled locally by Auburn investigators; prosecutors will determine final charges and whether the case will seek enhanced penalties under Alabama law. Schnuelle’s death drew condolences from university officials and former students, who described her as an influential teacher and veterinarian whose work and mentorship affected colleagues and trainees.
No further arrests had been announced as of Monday. The Auburn Police Department and Lee County Jail did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment beyond the news release.