A "cherished" former professor has been killed while walking her dog in an Alabama park.

The body of Dr Julie Gard Schnuelle, 59, was found in woodland in Kiesel Park in Auburn on Saturday afternoon - where it is said she regularly exercised with her pet.

A 28-year-old man, Harold Rashad Dabney III, from Montgomery, has since been arrested and charged with capital murder.

Dabney stole her truck and fled, before being caught by police a short distance away on Sunday.

Police said her injuries appeared to be consistent with the use of a sharp force instrument.

A statement from the local department said: "Officers in contact with Dabney made observations that led them to believe Dabney had involvement with the homicide that occurred the previous day."

Dr Gard Schnuelle's body was found in woodland in Kiesel Park (pictured) in Auburn

Dr Gard Schnuelle had been a professor of large animal medicine at the prestigious Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

She had driven to the park with her dog in her red Ford F-150 pickup truck.

Her dog remained by her side after her killing, and was found unharmed by police.

The vehicle was also recovered on Sunday.

28-year-old Harold Rashad Dabney III has since been arrested and charged with capital murder

Now, tributes are flooding in for the ex-professor.

One of Dr Gard Schnuelle's former students, Destinee Bearden Patterson, said: "She was amazing... She was a force. She was only a little bit over five-foot-two, not your typical large animal veterinarian.

"She was a force in this world, such a bright, bright light, just an all-around wonderful human being that is going to be missed terribly."

And in a dire warning, Ms Patterson added: "Kiesel Park is one of those places that's frequented by veterinary students, all the students at Auburn, not just the veterinary school, but was always considered to be a safe space.

"The safety is now being questioned."

Auburn University said she "was a beloved member of the Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine and the Auburn Family".

The institution added that 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."

"She served as a faculty member in the Department of Clinical Sciences in the Large Animal/Food Animal section from 2003 to 2021, when she retired as a professor emerita," it continued.

"Auburn sends our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr. Gard Schnuelle during this unimaginably difficult time."