Dr Fortune Gomo: Tributes to scientist as man appears in court charged with murder
Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency crews were called to Dundee's South Road on Saturday afternoon.
Monday 7 July 2025 16:15, UK
A young man has appeared in court charged with murder following the death of a scientist who was found seriously injured in a Dundee street.
Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency crews were called to the city's South Road at about 4.25pm on Saturday.
Police Scotland announced a murder investigation was taking place following a post-mortem examination.
Kyler Rattray, 20, was arrested and charged in connection with the case and appeared before Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday.
The suspect made no plea to the single charge of murder. Rattray was remanded in custody and is due back in the dock within the next eight days.
Dr Gomo was originally from Zimbabwe but lived locally, was a graduate of the University of Dundee, and worked for Scottish Water.
Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell said the death of Dr Gomo had "caused shock in Dundee".
She said: "Fortune's family and friends, who are being supported by specialist officers, are very much in our thoughts today, as is the wider community."
Patrols have been increased in the area and senior officers from the force have met with representatives from the local community to help "provide reassurance".
Chief Superintendent Russell said she was aware of "misinformation" being shared online and urged members of the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the case.
She said: "Given that legal proceedings are now under way I am very limited in what I can say regarding the circumstances surrounding this incident, particularly any motive.
"Our enquiries are continuing and we are confident that nobody else was involved and there is no wider threat to the public.
"Working with partners to tackle violence and make Scotland's communities safe for all women and girls is a priority for Police Scotland.
"I am also acutely aware of misinformation being shared on social media and would urge the public not to speculate on the circumstances or post anything which could compromise a future court case and bring further distress to Fortune's family."
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Professor Simon Parsons, director of environment planning and assurance at Scottish Water, said: "Everyone at Scottish Water, where Dr Fortune Gomo worked, is shocked and saddened by her death and we send our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
"Fortune was an exceptional scientist and a senior service planner in our water resources planning section based in Dundee where, having joined us in February, she had already become a highly valued and respected member of our team.
"We are supporting her colleagues at Scottish Water following this incident."
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Angela Machonesa, who studied with Dr Gomo at Chinhoyi High School and at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, paid tribute to her friend in a post on Facebook.
She said: "Her brilliance in the classroom was only matched by her emotional intelligence.
"She was the kind of person you'd go to when you needed clarity, not just of mind, but of heart. She listened. She cared. She uplifted.
"No wonder she went on to earn her PhD. It was only natural. Her path was written in the stars long ago. To serve. To lead. To heal."