What began as a quiet Saturday stroll in Auburn’s Kiesel Park ended in tragedy that has shaken the community.

Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, a respected veterinarian and professor emerita at Auburn University, was out walking

her dog when she was brutally attacked. Police later discovered her body in a wooded area of the park after a

distress call. Her injuries suggested she was attacked with a sharp object, and investigators are treating

the case as homicide. Though her dog was unharmed, the violence left residents questioning the safety of a park once considered a haven for families.

By the next morning, authorities had a suspect in custody. Harold Rashad Dabney III, 28, was arrested just

miles away after reports of suspicious activity. He faces two counts of capital murder, with charges alleging he attacked Dr. Schnuelle, abducted her,

and stole her vehicle, which was later found abandoned. Investigators are still determining whether the crime was targeted or random.

Dr. Schnuelle retired in 2021 after nearly two decades at Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she inspired students

and cared deeply for animals and people. Tributes describe her as a “bright light” whose legacy of compassion will endure despite this senseless loss.