The Auburn, Alabama community is mourning the loss of a former veterinary professor who was brutally murdered while walking her dog in a local park. Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, a respected figure in the field of Large Animal Medicine at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was found dead in a wooded area of Kiesel Park on Saturday afternoon.
Schnuelle, who was known for her daily walks with her dog in the park, was discovered with her loyal pet by her side, unharmed. The assailant had stolen her red Ford F-150 pickup truck, which was later found a short distance away on Wire Road on Sunday.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Harold Rashad Dabney III from Montgomery, was apprehended by the police the following day. Dabney was charged with capital murder, according to local news outlet Open Line.
Schnuelle’s untimely death has left the Auburn University veterinary school, her former students, and colleagues in a state of shock and grief. Known for her passion for animals, particularly livestock, Schnuelle was remembered as a vibrant and dedicated professional.
Destinee Bearden Patterson, a former student, described Schnuelle as a “force in this world, such a bright, bright light, just an all-around wonderful human being that is going to be missed terribly.” Despite her petite stature, Schnuelle was a formidable presence in the field of large animal veterinary medicine.
Dabney was arrested on Beehive Road just off I-85 after Auburn police received a call reporting a suspicious person. Observations made by the officers led them to believe Dabney was involved in the previous day’s homicide. He is currently being held without bond at the Lee County Jail.
The news of Schnuelle’s murder has sent shockwaves through the local community, with tributes pouring in from locals and state representatives alike. US Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) expressed his devastation over the tragic loss in a social media post, extending his prayers to the victim’s family and loved ones.
Schnuelle was a familiar face in Kiesel Park and its accompanying dog park, a popular spot among Auburn’s veterinary students. Ashley Rutter, a former student, remembered Schnuelle as a welcoming, spunky individual who was always ready to stand up for herself and others.