Harold Rashad Dabney III Charged in Fatal Stabbing of Retired Auburn Professor

Auburn, Alabama (Sept. 8, 2025) - Harold Rashad Dabney III, 28, was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder in the fatal stabbing of Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, a 59-year-old retired Auburn University veterinary professor, whose body was found Saturday morning in Kiesel Park.

Dr. Schnuelle, a beloved member of the College of Veterinary Medicine until her 2021 retirement, was walking her dog when she was attacked, prompting an intensive homicide investigation that culminated in Dabney’s arrest Sunday near the 2300 block of Beehive Road.

Nut Graf

The case has stunned the Auburn community and raised concerns about park safety and violent crime in the area. Authorities praised public vigilance and interagency cooperation, underscoring the swift resolution of a high-profile murder of a respected academic.

Key Developments

  • Discovery and Response
    • Sept. 6: Officers responding to a call at Kiesel Park, 500 block of Chadwick Lane, discovered Dr. Schnuelle’s body in a wooded area with multiple sharp-force injuries.
    • A red Ford F-150 registered to Schnuelle was reported missing from near the scene.
  • Investigation and Arrest
    • Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m.: Police located a suspicious individual identified as Harold Dabney III on Beehive Road. Observations during the encounter linked him to the homicide.
    • Auburn Police confirmed Dabney stole the victim’s truck and took it after the attack; the vehicle has since been recovered.
  • Charges and Custody
    • Dabney faces two counts of capital murder-murder during a robbery and during a kidnapping-and is held without bond at Lee County Jail. He could face life without parole or the death penalty if convicted.
  • Community and Official Reactions
    • Auburn University extended condolences, calling Schnuelle “a remarkable educator and colleague.”
    • Auburn Police thanked the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, SBI, FBI, Lee County EMA, Alabama Dept. of Corrections and Lee County DA’s Office for their assistance.

What’s Next

An autopsy by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences will confirm the cause of death. Prosecutors will determine whether to seek the death penalty. A preliminary hearing date has not yet been set.