The Auburn University community and beyond are mourning the tragic and untimely loss of Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, a respected veterinarian, professor emerita, and mentor, who was killed on Saturday, September 6, 2025, during a violent attack at Kiesel Park in Auburn, Alabama. She was 59 years old.
Authorities reported that Dr. Schnuelle was walking her dog along the park’s scenic two-mile trail when she was attacked. While her dog was later found unharmed, the incident ended in heartbreaking tragedy.
Auburn Police and emergency responders discovered her body in a wooded area of the park at around 2 p.m. The area was closed to the public through the weekend as investigators gathered evidence and pieced together the events leading to her death.
By Sunday, police had arrested 28-year-old Harold Rashad Dabney of Montgomery, charging him with two counts of capital murder — one for kidnapping and another for robbery. According to investigators, Dabney allegedly stole Dr. Schnuelle’s Ford F-150 truck following the assault. The county coroner confirmed that her death was consistent with sharp force trauma. An autopsy is being conducted to confirm details.
A Life of Dedication to Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Schnuelle’s passing has left a deep void among her family, colleagues, students, and the wider Auburn community. Auburn University shared a heartfelt statement honoring her contributions:
“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.”
A 1996 graduate of Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Schnuelle went on to earn her Ph.D. and later joined the faculty in 2003. Over the next two decades, she became known for her commitment to advancing the field of theriogenology — the study of animal reproduction — and for her research in preventing and managing cattle and calf diseases.
Her influence reached far beyond the classroom. Students described her as patient, inspiring, and deeply invested in their success. As a mentor, she had a rare gift for guiding aspiring veterinarians with a balance of rigor and compassion. Even after her retirement in 2021, she continued contributing to animal health as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s area veterinarian in charge for Alabama and Mississippi, a role where her expertise and leadership shaped veterinary practices across the region.
Remembered as a Mentor and Colleague
For colleagues, Dr. Schnuelle was more than an academic professional — she was a true friend and supporter. She was known for her humility, sharp intellect, and dedication to collaborative work. Many credit her with elevating Auburn’s veterinary program to national recognition, while also ensuring that students left with not just knowledge, but a sense of compassion and responsibility toward animal and human life.
Her legacy will live on in the countless veterinarians she trained, the research she advanced, and the communities she served with unwavering dedication.
A Community in Grief
The news of her passing has shaken the Auburn community to its core. Messages of sympathy and sorrow have poured in from former students, colleagues, and friends who remember her as a beacon of kindness, knowledge, and integrity. Vigils and tributes are being planned as loved ones and the Auburn family come together to honor her life and contributions.
Kiesel Park, a place once associated with peace and recreation, has now become a site of profound loss. Yet within this tragedy, the outpouring of love and remembrance reflects just how deeply Dr. Schnuelle touched the lives of those around her.
A Lasting Legacy
Though her life was tragically cut short, Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle’s legacy of scholarship, mentorship, and compassion will continue to inspire generations. Her commitment to veterinary medicine, her students, and her colleagues stands as a lasting example of a life lived with purpose and generosity.
