The community in Auburn, Alabama, was reeling over the weekend after Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, a retired Auburn University veterinary medicine professor, was discovered fatally stabbed while walking her dog in Kiesel Park. The 59-year-old was found in a wooded part of the park with multiple stab wounds on Saturday, Sept. 6, and died at the scene, police said. Within hours, officers had identified 28-year-old Harold Rashad Dabney III as a suspect. Dabney, of Montgomery, was taken into custody the following morning and charged with two counts of capital murder in the death of Schnuelle. Police say he killed her in the course of a robbery and stole her blood-red Ford F-150 pickup, which has since been found by police. Dabney is being held without bond in the Lee County Jail and prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty if he is convicted.
- Victim: Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, professor emerita at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Location: Kiesel Park in Auburn (not Chewacla State Park, despite some early confusion).
- Incident: Schnuelle was found stabbed multiple times on Sept. 6 during her morning walk. Her dog was unharmed and returned to her family.
- Suspect: Harold Rashad Dabney III, 28, arrested Sept. 7. Charged with two counts of capital murder (one count for killing during a kidnapping, another for killing during a robbery).
Legal: Dabney remains held without bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 8 at the Lee County Justice Center (Opelika). District Attorney Jessica Ventiere has announced her intent to pursue capital punishment.
Incident and Investigation
Auburn Police responded to Kiesel Park on the afternoon of Sept. 6 after a 911 call reported a deceased person in the woods. Officers found Dr. Schnuelle’s body around 2 p.m., noting “injuries indicating the death was caused by an assault.” The red Ford F-150 she normally drives was discovered missing from the area near her body, and the park was closed overnight as detectives combed the scene for evidence. Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton later confirmed Schnuelle died of “multiple sharp force injuries.”
On Sunday morning (Sept. 7), police received a tip about a suspicious person near Beehive Road, about four miles from Kiesel Park. Auburn officers quickly identified the individual as Harold Rashad Dabney III. A Ford F-150 matching the description of Schnuelle’s truck was found at the scene. After interviewing Dabney and gathering evidence, authorities arrested him without incident and charged him with two counts of capital murder. Officials say Dabney had allegedly abducted Schnuelle, used force against her, and stolen her truck following the attack.
The murder and investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI, as well as local law enforcement. Thanks to public tips and police work, Schnuelle’s stolen truck was recovered later that day. Dabney was booked into the Lee County Jail, where records show he is held without bond. Prosecutors note Alabama law allows capital murder charges even in a single-victim case. According to court filings, one murder count stems from killing Schnuelle during a kidnapping (with intent to inflict harm) and the other counts the deadly robbery of her pickup by force.
In police updates, Auburn officials have emphasized that Kiesel Park – a popular Auburn dog park and trail system – has since reopened to the public, but they urged people to stay alert. City police thanked residents for any tips they provided, and asked anyone with information to call (334) 501-3100 or text (334) 246-1391. The Auburn Police Department stressed that all details will come out in court, and that “all defendants are innocent until proven guilty.”
The Victim’s Legacy: Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle
Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle was a cherished educator and veterinarian with deep Auburn roots. A 1996 graduate of Auburn’s veterinary school, she served on its faculty from 2003 until retiring in 2021. A specialist in theriogenology (animal reproduction), Schnuelle earned the rank of professor of theriogenology in 2015. Her passion was livestock health – classmates and colleagues say she loved sharing knowledge about cattle reproduction. She even served as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Area Veterinarian in Charge for Alabama and Mississippi.
“Dr. Schnuelle was an extremely enthusiastic and energetic person,” recalled Dr. Calvin M. Johnson, dean of Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “She was a fabulous teacher. The students really responded to her enthusiasm, and it motivated them to excel.” Johnson noted that Schnuelle remained active with the college even after retirement, mentoring young veterinarians and helping with the school’s programs.
Friends say Schnuelle was often seen jogging or walking in Kiesel Park with her dog – part of her daily routine. Auburn students and alumni remember her as warm and down-to-earth. One former student told media Schnuelle was “spunky” and always quick with a joke, yet committed to standing up for her students. Her university biography highlights decades of research into managing cattle diseases, reflecting her dedication to animal health and her community.
Colleagues have described Schnuelle’s death as an “unimaginable” loss. Auburn University’s statement called her a “beloved member of the Auburn family” whose “dedication to students and passion for veterinary medicine left a lasting impact.” The College of Veterinary Medicine posted a tribute mourning her “heartbreaking loss,” praising her as a “beloved educator, mentor, researcher and colleague.” It noted her Alma Mater status and long record of service.
At the park, a small memorial grew in her honor. Flowers and handwritten notes were tied to the park gate remembering Schnuelle as “always an example, forever an inspiration.” A note left on a wreath quoted Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Her family has not made a public statement, but Auburn’s messages underscore the community’s sorrow.
The Accused: Harold Rashad Dabney III
Authorities say Harold Rashad Dabney III, 28, was living in Auburn at the time of his arrest, though he had previously resided in Montgomery. Neighbors were stunned by the charges; one who knew him only as a quiet, respectful man said Dabney kept to himself and often simply nodded or said hello when passing. When police came to the Dunford Avenue home where Dabney was staying, neighbors reported seeing several unmarked vehicles and officers carrying equipment, but details of the search have not been released.
Dabney’s criminal history is now under scrutiny. Court records show he was arrested in December 2023 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on a weapons charge involving a sawed-off shotgun (a felony) along with misdemeanor counts of gun possession, trespassing and public intoxication. That case revealed he had been living in his car and, according to police notes, was found with a concealed pistol and a loaded, homemade shotgun. Dabney had no documented record before that incident. Prosecutors in Virginia ultimately dropped the felony weapons charge, and he pleaded guilty to the remaining misdemeanors, receiving unsupervised probation.
At his first Lee County court appearance this week, Dabney did not enter a plea. His lawyer, public defender Andrew Stanley, told reporters the case is still in early stages, and offered no comment on the charges. A judge denied Dabney bond, meaning he will remain detained pending trial. The Lee County Justice Center in Opelika is handling the case; authorities set a preliminary hearing for Oct. 8. District Attorney Jessica Ventiere has signaled her office will seek the death penalty, the harshest sentence under Alabama law.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Dabney is formally charged with capital murder – the same charge applied to any killing during a robbery or kidnapping in Alabama. The two counts allege that he murdered Schnuelle while committing a kidnapping and again while committing an armed robbery (stealing her truck). If convicted, capital murder can carry a sentence of life without parole or death.
- Charges: Two counts of capital murder (kidnapping and robbery).
- Bond: None; held without bond in Lee County Jail.
- Hearing: Preliminary hearing set for Oct. 8 at Lee County Justice Center (Opelika).
- Penalty Sought: Prosecutors have announced they intend to seek capital punishment.
Lee County District Attorney Ventiere, speaking to the press, said this crime “warrants the maximum penalty.” The decision to pursue death reflects both the violent nature of the crime and Alabama’s allowance of capital murder charges even for a single victim. A conviction and sentencing could take many months or longer, as the court considers evidence and possible defenses.
Community Reaction and Safety Concerns
The murder sent shockwaves through Auburn’s closely-knit community of 83,000. Residents who frequent Kiesel Park described feeling “horrified” that a broad daylight attack could happen in what was always a peaceful place. “This is a beautiful place where you can go for peace,” said one local visitor. Now park-goers say they can’t help but wonder, “Where did it happen?” Another dog walker said he Googled the park after seeing the news and was shaken to learn a resident had been killed there.
“Auburn is a very safe community,” Auburn’s veterinary college dean noted. “When something like this happened, we just were jolted. We were completely taken off guard.” Faculty, students and neighbors describe the college town as tight-knit – the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. In the wake of Schnuelle’s killing, they fear a loss of that innocence. Many have been rethinking whether their own quiet walks or errands are truly without risk.
Local leaders and clergy have stepped in to offer comfort. On Tuesday, a small group from a nondenominational church gathered at Kiesel Park to pray for peace. Pastor Bill Birmingham said they came together “just for things to be peaceful.” He noted the park was eerily emptier than usual. Auburn University’s president and vet med dean issued heartfelt statements, and state Senator Tommy Tuberville (formerly Auburn’s head football coach) wrote on social media that he and his wife are “devastated” and praying for Schnuelle’s family and “justice to be served.”
Still, city officials have urged calm. Police say they will increase patrols in public spaces and called on residents to report any suspicious activity. In the short term, some Auburn families say they’ll be more cautious about letting loved ones stroll alone – especially off campus. However, most longtime residents emphasize that this was a horrific outlier, not a trend. “This kind of violent crime is not normal for our area,” one local official told news outlets, reminding neighbors that Auburn and nearby Opelika remain among Alabama’s safer communities. Even so, “community safety” has become a topic of uneasy conversation at neighborhood watches and school meetings this week.
What’s Next
As of now, Auburn police and prosecutors continue to gather evidence in the case. Investigators have not released details about the motive beyond the robbery allegation, and Dabney has not publicly spoken. Schnuelle’s family has stayed out of the press, focusing on memorial services and private grief. The university is offering counseling to students and staff who were close to her.
A funeral or public obituary for Dr. Schnuelle is expected soon; colleagues describe it as “something she deserved.” In the interim, plants and notes are being placed at the park gate almost daily. Onlookers say people pause and reflect at the memorial whenever they pass.
Legally, the next major event is the preliminary hearing on Oct. 8 in Lee County Court. There, a judge will hear evidence and decide if there’s enough to bind Dabney over for trial. If so, jury selection and a capital trial could follow many months later. Throughout this process, community members say they will be watching closely: not just for justice for Schnuelle, but for assurance that Auburn remains a place where people can walk their dogs or run along trails without fear.
For now, officers remind everyone, the investigation is ongoing. Auburn Police ask that any new information – no matter how small – be reported immediately. As the community mourns, it also seeks answers. “We want to know why this happened,” a neighbor said, echoing the sentiments of many. Until those answers come in court, Auburn remains united in grief and vigil, determined that Schnuelle’s memory will endure far longer than the tragedy of her death.