Tragic Death of Retired Auburn University Professor

Authorities are investigating the stabbing death of a retired professor from Auburn University, which they believe was a deliberate attack. Julie Gard Schnuel, who was 59, was found in a wooded area at Kiesel Park in Auburn, Alabama, after suffering injuries indicative of an ambush.

Harold Rashad Dabney III, a 26-year-old, has been charged with two counts of capital murder related to Schnuel’s death. The police reported that they received a call about a suspicious individual around 8:30 AM on Sunday, leading to Dabney’s arrest. He is also accused of stealing Schnuel’s Ford F-150 pickup truck.

According to a spokesperson for the Lee County Coroner’s Office, Schnuel died due to “multiple sharp force injuries.”

Detectives believe that Dabney attacked Schnuel while she was walking her dog, dragging her into the forest and stabbing her multiple times.

Schnuel had been a valued member of Auburn University’s Veterinary Medicine faculty from 2003 until her retirement in 2021. The university expressed its deep sorrow over her passing, stating that she had a significant impact on her students and the field of veterinary medicine.

Ashley Lutter, one of Schnuel’s former students, mentioned that the professor visited Kiesel Park every day. “She was always so friendly and supportive,” Lutter recalled. “She stood up for what she believed in and wasn’t afraid to speak out.”

As the community processes this shocking event, many are reflecting on Schnuel’s legacy of compassion and mentorship, which continues to inspire those she taught.