Auburn, Alabama — Harold Rashad Dabney III has been arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder in connection with the death of Dr. Julie Schnuelle, a retired professor from Auburn University.
The Auburn Police Department announced the arrest on Sunday, just a day after Dr. Schnuelle’s body was discovered in a wooded area of Kiesel Park, located in the 500 block of Chadwick Lane. Officers responded to the scene on September 6 after receiving a report of a deceased individual. The 59-year-old victim showed signs of fatal injuries resulting from an assault.
On September 7, police responded to a call about a suspicious person in the 2300 block of Beehive Road. Officers identified the individual as Harold Rashad Dabney III, of Montgomery, Alabama. Based on their initial observations, authorities believed Dabney was involved in the previous day’s homicide.
Following an investigation, police confirmed Dabney’s connection to the case and formally charged him with two counts of capital murder. He has been booked into Lee County Jail without bond.
Investigators also recovered a red Ford F-150 belonging to Dr. Schnuelle, which had been stolen following her death. Police confirmed Dabney had taken the vehicle.
Dr. Schnuelle was a retired faculty member from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Auburn Police Department expressed gratitude to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, State Bureau of Investigation, FBI, Lee County EMA, Alabama Department of Corrections, and the Lee County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. They also thanked the public for its vigilance during the investigation.
