Murder Near Auburn Campus — Retired Professor Killed While Walking Dog

Beloved retired professor found dead in Alabama park, just weeks after a Ukrainian refugee was stabbed to death in a separate tragedy.

A peaceful Saturday stroll turned into an unthinkable nightmare when Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, a respected Auburn professor emerita, was brutally murdered in broad daylight in one of Alabama's most cherished public parks.

The 59-year-old veterinarian, known for her compassion, brilliance, and deep love for animals, was found lifeless and bloodied in Kiesel Park — a place where she once walked her dog with joy. Now, it's a scene of horror that has left Auburn, Alabama, reeling… and asking why.

Final Walk Turns Fatal

The morning of September 6, 2025, began like so many others for Dr. Schnuelle: she walked through Kiesel Park, a sprawling green space adored by locals and often filled with families, dog walkers, and joggers, with her dog. But this walk would be her last, as a result of a brutal attack.

Police were dispatched after they received a call around 2:07 p.m. to the 500 block of Chadwick Lane. There, in a wooded area of the park, they discovered Dr. Schnuelle's body — a discovery that would shatter Auburn's sense of safety.

Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton confirmed the worst: she had suffered fatal injuries caused by a sharp object, possibly a knife. Her remains were transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences in Montgomery for further examination.

Her dog, miraculously found unharmed, was taken in by loved ones. As news spread, so did heartbreak, because for Auburn, a sense of innocence was lost.

What had once been a place of community gatherings — home to events like weddings, CityFest, and the Fall Sundown Concert Series — was now a crime scene. That such violence could erupt in a beloved public park has shaken locals to their core.

Auburn residents expressed disbelief that this level of brutality could happen in their backyard. By Sunday morning — within 24 hours after the gruesome discovery — authorities had their suspect.

Suspect Arrested Just Miles Away

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on September 7, officers responded to suspicious behavior near the 2300 block of Beehive Road. There, they encountered Harold Rashad Dabney III, 28, whose presence raised red flags. Through rapid investigation and collection of evidence, authorities quickly identified him as the prime suspect in Dr. Schnuelle's killing.

Now facing two counts of capital murder, Dabney remains behind bars at Lee County Jail, held without bond. Prosecutors believe multiple aggravating circumstances — including kidnapping and robbery — justify the double capital charges, even with only one victim.

Court documents allege Dabney abducted Dr. Schnuelle and stole her red Ford F-150, which was later found abandoned near Wire Road close to a local pumpkin patch. A state helicopter was deployed in the search — a sign of just how serious and swift the manhunt became.

At first, Dabney was identified as a Montgomery resident, based on his driver's license. But arrest documents list him at an address in Auburn. Assistant Police Chief Mike Harris explained that the discrepancy stemmed from a prior misdemeanor obstruction charge, where Dabney refused to provide a home address.

The Dunford Avenue address was the one he later provided, making it the last known location used in the arrest warrant. Investigators are now digging deeper into Dabney's connections to both Auburn and Montgomery.

Auburn Police expressed gratitude for the outpouring of public assistance, stating that community tips played a key role in tracking down the suspect and uncovering critical evidence.

Multiple agencies contributed to the case, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Lee County Emergency Management Agency, the Alabama Department of Corrections, and the Lee County District Attorney's Office.

As the legal process begins to take shape, questions remain unanswered. Authorities have not stated whether Dabney had any prior connection to Dr. Schnuelle or if the attack was random. For a community in mourning, these unknowns only deepen the sense of unease — but they also underscore the gravity of what was lost.

At this time, authorities have instructed people to avoid Kiesel Park as a result of the "heavy first responder presence" in the area. The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with additional information that could assist authorities is encouraged to contact the Auburn Police Division at 334-501-3140, the tip line at 334-246-1391, or dial 911.

Remembering Dr. Schnuelle: 'Brilliant' Veterinarian, 'Cherished [...] Mentor,' and Beloved Wife and Mother

The shock of Dr. Schnuelle's death is felt across academia, veterinary medicine, and her Auburn community — where she had been a pillar of strength and kindness.

A professor emerita at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine, she specialized in large and food animal medicine, holding a PhD and board certification in theriogenology — the study of animal reproduction.

"She was a cherished educator, mentor and colleague whose dedication to students and passion for theriogenology and veterinary medicine left a lasting impact on Auburn. Dr. Gard Schnuelle's legacy of compassion, scholarship and service will continue to inspire generations of veterinarians [sic]," stated the university.

Similarly, a portion of a news report covering the case reads, "Former students and colleagues describe her as both brilliant and kind, a teacher who deeply cared for the animals she treated and the people she taught." Retired in 2021, Dr. Schnuelle had served the university since 2003 and was renowned in the bovine veterinary field. Yet outside her professional accolades, she was simply a woman who found joy in the everyday — walking her dog, nurturing her family as a wife and mother, and mentoring young minds.

'Such a Bright, Bright Light': Tributes Pour in as Auburn Mourns

As news of the arrest circulated, heartbreak continued to ripple through the Auburn community — particularly among those who knew Dr. Schnuelle as a friend. Destinee Bearden Patterson, a former student and close pal, remembers her as "amazing." "She was a force. She was only a little bit over 5-foot-2, not your typical large animal veterinarian," she said. "Such a bright, bright light, just an all-around wonderful human being that is going to be missed terribly."

Dr. Allen Riley, a 1985 Auburn graduate and chairman of the Jefferson County Veterinary Medical Association, said he was stunned before adding, "She was well-known." The heartbreak over Dr. Schnuelle's death echoes another senseless killing that occurred just weeks earlier — one that has also left a community reeling and prompted federal involvement.

Another Senseless Killing: Ukrainian Refugee Stabbed to Death on Charlotte Train

On August 22, 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed aboard a Lynx Blue Line light rail car in Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to investigators and graphic surveillance footage, Zarutska had just sat down when Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., 34, stabbed her three times from behind. He then calmly walked away and was quickly apprehended by officers on the light rail platform. Zarutska died on the train. A pocketknife and other personal items were recovered from the scene.

Brown, a repeat violent offender with a documented criminal history, has since been charged with first-degree murder by local authorities and also faces federal prosecution for committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.

If convicted, he could face life in prison or the death penalty. "Iryna Zarutska was a young woman living the American dream — her horrific murder is a direct result of failed soft-on-crime policies," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who vowed to pursue the maximum penalty.

Zarutska was a Ukrainian-born artist who came to the U.S. in 2022 with her family to escape the war. A graduate in Art and Restoration, she was known for her vibrant spirit, love for animals, and eclectic creativity.

Zarutska dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant and quickly mastered English after arriving in America. Her family remembers her for her warmth, her artistic soul, and the joy she brought to those around her.

Tragically, Zarutska's father was unable to attend her funeral in Charlotte on August 27. Reportedly, due to Ukraine's wartime restrictions on men of fighting age, he remained in the country while his daughter was laid to rest an ocean away.

This is a heartbreaking reality for a family that fled violence only to encounter it again. His absence, another cruel consequence of war, added to the grief surrounding her loss.

Two Women, Two Cities, One Haunting Truth: No Place Is Truly Safe

Communities from Alabama to North Carolina are left in mourning — and in fear. How could two women with such promise, such kindness, such humanity, be snatched away in acts of such violent disregard? From a sun-drenched park path to a train car in motion, the message is harrowingly clear: tragedy can strike anywhere.

At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to both Dr. Schnuelle and Zarutska's families, friends, and communities, as they mourn such significant losses. We hope for their healing amid their time of grief. RIP, dear Zarutska and Dr. Schnuelle.