The Auburn University community is reeling from the devastating loss of Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, a highly respected veterinarian, professor emerita, and mentor, who was killed in a violent attack at Kiesel Park in Auburn, Alabama, on Saturday, September 6, 2025. She was 59 years old.
Authorities stated that Dr. Schnuelle had been walking her dog along the park’s well-traveled two-mile trail when she was assaulted. Her dog was later found unharmed, but the incident ended in unimaginable tragedy.
Police and first responders located her body in a wooded area of the park around 2 p.m. The park was shut down for the remainder of the weekend while investigators collected evidence.
By Sunday, Auburn police announced the arrest of 28-year-old Harold Rashad Dabney of Montgomery. Dabney has been charged with two counts of capital murder — one related to kidnapping and another to robbery. Investigators reported that Dabney allegedly stole Dr. Schnuelle’s Ford F-150 after the attack. The county coroner confirmed her cause of death was consistent with sharp force trauma. An autopsy is underway to provide further confirmation.
A Life Devoted to Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Schnuelle’s sudden passing has left an irreplaceable gap in the lives of her family, friends, colleagues, students, and the broader Auburn community. Auburn University released a tribute honoring her decades of service:
“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, she went on to complete her Ph.D. and joined the faculty in 2003. Over the course of nearly two decades, she became widely recognized for her expertise in theriogenology — the field of animal reproduction — and for her groundbreaking work in the prevention and treatment of cattle and calf diseases.
Her influence stretched far beyond her academic achievements. Students remembered her as compassionate, patient, and deeply invested in their success. As a mentor, she guided young veterinarians with a unique blend of rigor, kindness, and encouragement. Even after retiring from Auburn in 2021, she continued her service as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s area veterinarian in charge for Alabama and Mississippi, where her leadership helped shape veterinary standards across the region.
A Mentor, Colleague, and Friend
Among her colleagues, Dr. Schnuelle was admired not only for her intellect and professional contributions but also for her humility, warmth, and collaborative spirit. Many credit her with helping elevate Auburn’s veterinary program to national prominence, while also instilling in her students a deep sense of compassion and responsibility.
Her impact will endure in the countless veterinarians she trained, the research she advanced, and the communities she touched with her expertise and generosity.
A Community in Mourning
News of her death has sent shockwaves through Auburn and beyond. Friends, students, and colleagues have shared an outpouring of grief and remembrance, describing her as a beacon of integrity, kindness, and wisdom. Plans for vigils and memorials are underway as the Auburn family and wider community gather to honor her remarkable life.
Kiesel Park, once a place of recreation and peace, now stands as the backdrop to a heartbreaking loss. Yet, amid this tragedy, the tributes and memories being shared highlight the profound ways Dr. Schnuelle enriched the lives of those who knew her.
A Legacy That Will Endure
Though her life was tragically cut short, Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle’s legacy of scholarship, mentorship, and compassion will continue to inspire generations. Her devotion to veterinary medicine, her students, and her colleagues will remain a shining example of a life dedicated to purpose, service, and care.