A beloved Auburn University professor has been tragically killed while walking her dog in one of Alabama’s most popular parks. Police confirmed a 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged with her murder.
Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, a retired professor from Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was stabbed to death on Saturday morning while walking in Kiesel Park… a large, scenic green space featuring a two-mile trail often frequented by locals and students. Her dog was later found unharmed.
Authorities responded to a call around 2 p.m. reporting a body in a wooded area. By 3:30 p.m., Auburn Police had closed the park, warning residents to avoid the area as investigators and first responders swarmed the scene.
Police arrested Harold Rashad Dabney, 28, of Montgomery, on Sunday. He has been charged with two counts of capital murder, including kidnapping and robbery, after allegedly stealing Schnuelle’s Ford F-150 truck to flee the scene. Investigators confirmed her injuries were consistent with a stabbing, and a full autopsy is underway.
