Lead
On Sept. 6, 2025, Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, a professor emerita at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, was found fatally injured in Kiesel Park after a 911 call. Police say her red Ford F-150 was missing from the scene and later recovered; Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton reported fatal injuries consistent with sharp‑force trauma. Authorities arrested 28‑year‑old Harold Rashad Dabney II the next morning and charged him with two counts of capital murder related to a kidnapping and a theft. The investigation remains active and officials said they are withholding further details while they develop the case.
Key takeaways
- Victim: Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, professor emerita in Auburn University’s Department of Clinical Sciences; retired in 2021 after a career focused on dairy production, bovine embryology and canine reproduction.
- Time and place: Schnuelle was discovered Sept. 6, 2025, in a wooded area of Kiesel Park in Auburn after a 911 report; exact time of the attack has not been released.
- Suspect and charges: Harold Rashad Dabney II, 28, was located the morning of Sept. 7 and charged with two counts of capital murder — one during a kidnapping and one during a theft.
- Vehicle: Schnuelle’s red Ford F‑150 was reported missing at the scene and was subsequently recovered off Wire Road, authorities said.
- Injuries: Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton reported fatal injuries consistent with sharp‑force trauma; no additional medical or forensic details have been released.
- Custody: Dabney is held at the Lee County Jail without bond; state court records cited in reports show no prior adult arrests in Alabama.
- Community impact: Schnuelle was a frequent Kiesel Park visitor and well‑known to Auburn’s veterinary community; university officials and public figures issued statements of condolence.
Background
Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle taught in Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine and was listed as professor emerita following her 2021 retirement. Her academic record includes veterinary training at Auburn, a biology degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from Auburn; she worked in large‑animal and food‑animal sections and was known for mentoring students entering large‑animal practice.
Kiesel Park is a popular outdoor area in Auburn and includes a dog park that many veterinary students and faculty frequent. Schnuelle was described by former students as a regular there; witnesses and colleagues have noted her daily visits and routine. Public parks being common community spaces can complicate investigations because they are both accessible and often lightly supervised.
Main event
According to police reports released Monday, Auburn officers responded to a 911 call at about 2 p.m. on Sept. 6 and found Schnuelle in a wooded portion of Kiesel Park. Her dog was reported unharmed at the scene. Officers discovered that the victim’s red Ford F‑150 was missing from the nearby area.
Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton later determined Schnuelle’s injuries were consistent with sharp‑force trauma; investigators have not released the precise time of death or further forensic details. Police said no additional information would be released at this stage of the active investigation to avoid compromising evidence or witness interviews.
At about 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 7, Auburn police answered a call reporting a suspicious person near the 2300 block of Beehive Road and located a man identified as Harold Rashad Dabney II. Officers reported observations that linked Dabney to the prior day’s homicide; following additional investigative steps, he was formally charged with two counts of capital murder.
Authorities later recovered Schnuelle’s Ford F‑150 off Wire Road. Assistant Police Chief Michael Harris emphasized the probe remains open and said investigators would release more information when appropriate. Dabney was booked into the Lee County Jail and is being held without bond pending further court action.
Analysis & implications
The killing of a well‑known university professor in a public park immediately raises questions about community safety, park security and how people use shared outdoor spaces. Kiesel Park’s popularity among faculty and students adds a communal dimension: many residents will reassess routines such as solitary exercise or walking a dog in public spaces. Municipal leaders and campus safety offices often respond to such incidents by reviewing patrol patterns and lighting, though any policy changes typically follow internal assessments and community consultation.
Legally, Alabama’s capital murder statute permits the state to seek the most severe charges when a killing occurs in the course of another felony, such as kidnapping or theft. Charging Dabney with capital murder in connection with both a kidnapping and a theft signals that prosecutors view the alleged acts as aggravating circumstances; whether the state will pursue a death‑penalty notice or seek life without parole will depend on prosecutorial discretion, discovery and forthcoming evidence.
For the university, the incident is likely to prompt counseling services outreach and reminders about campus and neighborhood safety resources. Faculty and student morale can be affected by the sudden loss of a mentor; university communications and student groups typically coordinate to provide support and to balance transparency with investigative confidentiality.
Comparison & data
| Event | Date/Time (reported) |
|---|---|
| Victim discovered in Kiesel Park | Sept. 6, 2025 — ~2 p.m. (911 call) |
| Suspicious person located | Sept. 7, 2025 — ~8:30 a.m. |
| Suspect charged | Sept. 7, 2025 — charges filed after investigation |
| Vehicle recovered | Sept. 7, 2025 — recovered off Wire Road |
The concise timeline above shows the principal public milestones reported by police and the coroner. Publicly available records do not yet include forensic timelines or charging documents beyond the basic counts; future filings and hearing records will provide additional timestamps and evidentiary detail. Comparing this case to other violent incidents in small college towns shows similar rapid police responses and short investigative windows between discovery and identification of a suspect, but outcomes and prosecutorial strategies vary widely by case specifics.
Reactions & quotes
University officials issued a brief statement offering condolences and recounting Schnuelle’s career; the university emphasized support for family and colleagues while declining to provide investigative details.
“Auburn sends our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr. Gard Schnuelle during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Auburn University (official statement)
Former students and colleagues described Schnuelle as a daily presence at Kiesel Park and a committed mentor to students entering challenging large‑animal fields. Their comments reflect both grief and a call for the community to support one another as the investigation proceeds.
“She was always so welcoming… she’d be there to defend you and help you out.”
Dr. Ashley Rutter, former student and Birmingham veterinarian
State and local public figures also expressed sympathy; their remarks focused on condolence and on urging trust in the investigative process.
“Suzanne and I are devastated by the news of this tragic loss in our community. We are praying for the victim’s family and loved ones and for justice to be served.”
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (social media statement)
Unconfirmed
- The precise time of the attack has not been publicly released; exact timing remains unconfirmed by investigators.
- Motive for the attack has not been established in public records and remains under investigation.
- The suspect’s long‑term residence and background beyond state court records are not fully corroborated in public sources; earlier news reports variably referenced Montgomery versus an Auburn address.
Bottom line
The death of Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle is a severe loss for Auburn’s veterinary community and highlights immediate concerns about safety in commonly used public spaces. Authorities acted quickly to identify and charge a suspect, but key investigative details remain withheld as the case proceeds.
Community leaders, university officials and law enforcement face twin tasks: supporting grieving colleagues and students while ensuring a transparent, lawful investigation that will supply the evidence needed for prosecution. Residents seeking to assist should follow official police guidance and submit tips to the contact points provided by Auburn police.