Auburn, Alabama
AP
—
A retired veterinary professor at Auburn University was killed over the weekend whereas strolling her canine at a standard park in Auburn, Alabama, authorities mentioned.
Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, was attacked and killed Saturday morning in Kiesel Park, positioned about 5 miles from campus, based on the Auburn Police Department. She had gone to the park to stroll her canine, WRBL reported.
The sprawling park has a standard canine park and a couple of miles (3.2 kilometers) of strolling trails.
Police mentioned Gard Schnuelle’s physique was present in a wooded space throughout the park and that her purple Ford F-150 truck was lacking.
Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton advised The Associated Press that Gard Schnuelle died from a number of sharp power accidents.
Police on Sunday arrested Harold Rashad Dabney III and charged him with two counts of capital homicide. Court paperwork indicated investigators imagine Dabney killed Gard Schnuelle throughout an tried kidnapping and theft. He is being held with out bond.
Police didn’t instantly point out what led them to Dabney aside from to say they responded to a report of a suspicious individual and officers made observations that “led them to believe Dabney had involvement with the homicide.”
Andrew Stanley, a protection legal professional appointed to signify Dabney, declined to remark Monday, noting they have been within the early levels of the case.
Gard Schnuelle, a massive animal veterinarian, was a 1996 graduate of the veterinary faculty and was a faculty member from 2003 till her retirement in 2021, serving as a professor of theriogenology. She had just lately served as Area Veterinarian in Charge with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Alabama and Mississippi. She remained lively with the veterinary faculty even after her retirement.
“Dr. Gard Schnuelle was a beloved educator, mentor, researcher and colleague whose passion for teaching, dedication to students, and commitment to theriogenology earned the respect and admiration of all who knew her,” Auburn University mentioned in a assertion.
“Dr. Gard Schnuelle’s legacy of compassion, scholarship and service will continue to inspire generations of veterinarians,” the assertion additionally learn.
Gard Schunuelle’s canine was discovered secure and returned to her household, WRBL reported.
Flowers have been positioned at the gate to the favored park as a memorial. Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones mentioned there may be each anger and a “profound sadness” locally.
“Her death through a violent crime at a location that so many enjoy and felt safe in has devastated all who knew her and the community as a whole,” Jones mentioned.