AL- Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, AU professor (ret.), walking dog @Kiesel Park when she was fatally attacked, body found in woods, 6 September 2025.

[StarryStarryNight]

I’ve about given up trying to figure why anybody would kill anybody like this.
They want to, so they do.
When we sorta understood why somebody might accost someone you could follow certain safety guidelines. Don’t walk alone at night. Hold tight to your purse. Stay in public areas.
Now, all that’s out the window. Broad daylight. There you are. Prey for the predator. Never expect or see it coming. Somebody just wants to kill you. Church, Walmart, mall, school, office building, park, dog park, movie, etc.
Sad for us all.

 

[Dotta]

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RIP

 

[TexLil]

I’ve about given up trying to figure why anybody would kill anybody like this.
They want to, so they do.
When we sorta understood why somebody might accost someone you could follow certain safety guidelines. Don’t walk alone at night. Hold tight to your purse. Stay in public areas.
Now, all that’s out the window. Broad daylight. There you are. Prey for the predator. Never expect or see it coming. Somebody just wants to kill you. Church, Walmart, mall, school, office building, park, dog park, movie, etc.
Sad for us all.

This! Very sadly agree with everything here. I'm of two minds on how best to move forward knowing this type of random senseless evil exists. Do we lock up, alarm up and stay inside? Or do we continue to try to live our lives boldly (but as safely as possible?). It seems like it's a combination of both. It's all so sad for Dr Julie and her loved ones.

 

[marybelle29]

Anyone else wondering if this guy could be connected to Katherine Janness' unsolved murder at Atlanta's Piedmont Park?

 

[cenazoic]

First thing I thought about, @marybelle29 !

 

[Inthedetails]

This! Very sadly agree with everything here. I'm of two minds on how best to move forward knowing this type of random senseless evil exists. Do we lock up, alarm up and stay inside? Or do we continue to try to live our lives boldly (but as safely as possible?). It seems like it's a combination of both. It's all so sad for Dr Julie and her loved ones.

Don't stay home because of crimes like this. I mean, we could slip in the shower in our own bathroom and get severely injured too. Live life, but as wisely as possible. Most important thing, imo, is to raise children not to hurt others.
jmopinion

 

[Ontario Mom]

This! Very sadly agree with everything here. I'm of two minds on how best to move forward knowing this type of random senseless evil exists. Do we lock up, alarm up and stay inside? Or do we continue to try to live our lives boldly (but as safely as possible?). It seems like it's a combination of both. It's all so sad for Dr Julie and her loved ones.

Instead of locking away law abiding citizens, maybe locking away criminals and keeping them locked up, would make a difference. I don't know if the suspect in this case has a prior criminal history, but far too often violent criminals do, and they're still walking among us, free to do as they please.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

Anyone else wondering if this guy could be connected to Katherine Janness' unsolved murder at Atlanta's Piedmont Park?

Like others, this was my first thought.
Waiting to hear a bit more on how Dr Julie was killed, before I can really express an opinion.

 

[the-professor]

This! Very sadly agree with everything here. I'm of two minds on how best to move forward knowing this type of random senseless evil exists. Do we lock up, alarm up and stay inside? Or do we continue to try to live our lives boldly (but as safely as possible?). It seems like it's a combination of both. It's all so sad for Dr Julie and her loved ones.

Keep your head on a swivel and always know who's around you. First thing you should do when seeing someone new is look at a their hands to see whether they're carrying anything. Keep an eye on potential exits should you find yourself in a dangerous situation. Get acquainted with crime statistics.

 

[Cedars]

I wonder what kind of dog she had, I guess a nice friendly one.

IMO, in this case he wanted her truck and followed her, after observing her in the parking lot.

In terms of previous crimes, he bungled this one even though he got away - I doubt he has previous experience.

 

[Inthedetails]

I wonder what kind of dog she had, I guess a nice friendly one.

IMO, in this case he wanted her truck and followed her, after observing her in the parking lot.

In terms of previous crimes, he bungled this one even though he got away - I doubt he has previous experience.

I think he wanted the truck too.

jmopinion

 

[Little Jack]

My guess is on drugs.

 

[cenazoic]

Keep your head on a swivel and always know who's around you.

Also, don’t use ear buds or your phone while walking/hiking/running - they make you oblivious to your surroundings.

 

[Dotta]

And always try to have others in your sight.
Avoid remote, desolate places.

JMO

 

[dotr]

rbbm.

Police say man killed retired Auburn University professor at a public park

AUBURN, Alabama (AP) — A retired veterinary professor at Auburn University was killed over the weekend while walking her dog at a popular park in Auburn, Alabama, authorities said.

www.thestar.com

''Police on Sunday arrested Harold Rashad Dabney III and charged him with two counts of capital murder. Court documents indicated investigators believe Dabney killed Gard Schnuelle during an attempted kidnapping and theft. He is being held without bond.''

 

[Quill]

Anyone else wondering if this guy could be connected to Katherine Janness' unsolved murder at Atlanta's Piedmont Park?

I definitely did!

 

[dotr]

To think this remarkable woman has spent a lifetime working with large animals, and a human animal to end it, imo.

Beloved Auburn veterinary professor was killed by man stealing her truck, records state

Harold Rashad Dabney II is charged with capital murder during a kidnapping and a theft in the death of Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle.

www.al.com

''Schnuelle was a frequent visitor to Kiesel Park and its dog park, which is a popular spot for Auburn’s veterinary students, said Dr. Ashley Rutter.
“She ran there every day,” Rutter, a former student of Schnuelle’s, told AL.com.
Rutter, a Birmingham veterinarian, said Schnuelle was supportive of students studying to care for large animals, a field Rutter said is hard to break into.''

 

[Inthedetails]

rbbm.

Police say man killed retired Auburn University professor at a public park

AUBURN, Alabama (AP) — A retired veterinary professor at Auburn University was killed over the weekend while walking her dog at a popular park in Auburn, Alabama, authorities said.

www.thestar.com

''Police on Sunday arrested Harold Rashad Dabney III and charged him with two counts of capital murder. Court documents indicated investigators believe Dabney killed Gard Schnuelle during an attempted kidnapping and theft. He is being held without bond.''

I'm reminding myself that kidnapping can mean something like detaining/moving someone against their will, iirc. Richard Allen in Delphi was charged with kidnapping the girls on the bridge, for example. In this case, the attempted kidnapping likely happened where Julie was in the park, not necessarily that he intended to bring her somewhere away.

Just a guess. imo

jmo

 

[auburnmomof2]

Very local to this case. He wasn't only after her truck. It was found a few miles away and he was located a few miles farther. If someone hadn't called in a suspicious person, he would still be at large. We have to have better communication with the public during situations like this. The public was told there was no known immediate threat. Which was a complete lie. The park where she was killed is generally safe. There was a wedding there Saturday between the time she was killed and when she was found. It's a large park with wooded trails. Rumors are that he had a house in Auburn but was seen brushing his teeth at as gas station in the days prior. So no clue what the motive was here. Just my opinion

 

[Ltiger4]

Very local to this case. He wasn't only after her truck. It was found a few miles away and he was located a few miles farther. If someone hadn't called in a suspicious person, he would still be at large. We have to have better communication with the public during situations like this. The public was told there was no known immediate threat. Which was a complete lie. The park where she was killed is generally safe. There was a wedding there Saturday between the time she was killed and when she was found. It's a large park with wooded trails. Rumors are that he had a house in Auburn but was seen brushing his teeth at as gas station in the days prior. So no clue what the motive was here. Just my opinion

I am local as well, and I agree that stealing the truck being his motive makes zero sense because he only drove the truck a few miles before dumping it, and then he was found walking a few miles away from that. So what is the motive?! As for “kidnapping” - one article said she was “ambushed” and moved a few hundred yards into the woods and stabbed to death. I’m having trouble finding the link to the article now, but I have a screenshot of it I can post.