Killing of former Auburn professor at city park shakes community
[September 10, 2025]
By KIM CHANDLER
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Flowers and memorial messages were tied to the gate
of Kiesel Park in Auburn to remember retired veterinary professor Julie
Gard Schnuelle, who was attacked and killed there over the weekend.
Gard Schnuelle's killing at a city park has rattled the college town of
83,757 people. The sprawling green space, in a rural-feeling area of the
city about 4 miles (6 kilometers) from the university campus, is popular
with dog walkers and exercisers because of its fields and 2 miles (3
kilometers) of walking trails.
Authorities said Gard Schnuelle, 59, died after being stabbed multiple
times. Her body was found in a wooded area of the park. Police have
charged Harold Rashad Dabney III, 28, with capital murder. Court
documents indicate that investigators believe Dabney killed Gard
Schnuelle during an attempted robbery and then left in her red Ford
F-150 truck. He was being held without bond.
People who came to the park Tuesday said they were shocked by the
killing at the placid location.
“Horrified and couldn’t believe it happened in broad daylight,” said
Paul Holm, who came to the park to the walk. “This is a beautiful place
where you can go for peace. Now, I'm going to be thinking where did it
happen.”
Gwnstavus Dowdell, who brought his dog Tiger, said he tried to go the
park Sunday but it was closed. The park was temporarily closed to the
public over the weekend while investigators gathered evidence.
“I Googled the place to see what was going on. When I saw what happened
the day before, I was shocked. While she was walking her dog? It just
doesn't make sense,” Dowdell said.
Gard Schnuelle, a large animal veterinarian, was a 1996 graduate of the
veterinary school and a faculty member from 2003 until her retirement in
2021. She specialized in cattle reproduction. She recently served as
Area Veterinarian in Charge with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for
Alabama and Mississippi. She remained active with the veterinary school
even after her retirement.
“Dr. Schnuelle was an extremely enthusiastic and energetic person,” said
Calvin M. Johnson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn
University. “She was a fabulous teacher. The students really responded
to her enthusiasm, and it motivated to them to excel.”
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Flowers and memorial notes hang from the gate to Kiesel Park in
Auburn, Ala., Tuesday Sept. 9, 2025 as a memorial to Julie Gard
Schnuelle. (AP Photo/Kimberly Chandler)
He said there is a feeling of “absolute shock” and sadness on the
vet school campus. He said the park is a beloved place where faculty
and students frequently go to to walk or take a break.
Gard Schnuelle often went there to run, sometimes fielding calls
about hospital cases as she made her way through the park, Johnson
said.
“Auburn is a very safe community. We are a very tight-knit
veterinary college. Everyone knows everyone,” he said. “When
something like this happened, we just were jolted. We were
completely taken off guard.”
A handwritten note left with flowers at the park read, “always an
example forever an inspiration.”
Gard Schnuelle had gone to the park to walk her dog. The dog was
found safe and returned to her family, WRBL reported.
Police have given limited public information about the killing and
why they suspect Dabney. Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton told The
Associated Press that Gard Schnuelle died from multiple sharp force
injuries.
A judge scheduled a preliminary hearing next month in the case. Lee
County District Attorney Jessica Ventiere told AP that her office
intends to seek the death penalty.
Andrew Stanley, a defense attorney appointed to represent Dabney,
declined to comment Monday, noting that the case was in its early
stages.
Bill Birmingham, the pastor of an nondenominational Christian church
in Auburn, came with a small group to pray at the park. He said
there were noticeably fewer people there Tuesday.
“We come out to pray just for things to be peaceful,” he said.
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