Retired Professor Tragically Killed While Walking Dog in Popular Park

A professor emerita and “beloved member” of the veterinary and university community in Alabama was murdered over the weekend while walking her dog in a park, and the 28-year-old suspect then stole her Ford F-150, police said.

Harold Rashad Dabney III, of Montgomery, is charged with capital murder for fatally assaulting retired Auburn University professor Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle in Kiesel Park — located in the 500 block of Chadwick Lane in Auburn — on Saturday, according to a police press release.

Dabney left Gard Schnuelle”s body in a “wooded area within the park” and fled in her F-150, cops say. A passerby discovered Gard Schnuelle and called 911. Police immediately launched a homicide investigation after finding injuries on her body that “indicated the death was caused by an assault,” officials said.

On Sunday, authorities received a report at around 8:30 a.m. about a “suspicious person” near the 2300 block of Beehive Road — around 4 miles away from Kiesel Park — prompting police to approach and question Dabney.

“Officers in contact with Dabney made observations that led them to believe Dabney had involvement with the homicide that occurred the previous day,” APD officials said. “After further investigation, Dabney was confirmed to be the suspect responsible for the homicide, and he was charged with two counts of capital murder.”

Police recovered the red Ford F-150 belonging to Gard Schnuelle and “stolen by Dabney subsequent to the homicide” on Sunday after asking the public for help finding it. Authorities have not revealed where Dabney allegedly drove the vehicle before abandoning it near Wire Road.

Auburn University officials, as well as friends and family, released statements to local media outlets on Sunday morning describing Gard Schnuelle as a “welcoming” and “spunky” professor emerita who was known to “help you out” when needed.

“Dr. Gard Schnuelle retired as a professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, in the Large Animal/Food Animal section in 2021,” Gard Schnuelle’s bio said on the Auburn website.

A former student, Dr. Ashley Rutter, told AL.com that Gard Schnuelle frequently visited Kiesel Park — specifically the dog park, as do many veterinary students.

“She ran there every day,” Rutter said.

Law enforcement has not released a motive for the slaying.

Dabney remained jailed at the Lee County Jail without bond as of Monday.