Latest news with #DrFortuneGomo
Times
07-07-2025
- Times
Tributes to scientist as man appears in court charged with her murder
The brother of a scientist who died in the street on Saturday has paid tribute to the family's 'deputy parent'. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, who worked for Scottish Water, was injured in South Road, Dundee, at about 4.25pm on Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene. She had studied at the University of Dundee, gaining a doctorate in geography and environmental science three years ago. Kyler Rattray, 20, from Dundee, appeared in court on Monday charged with her murder. He made no plea and was committed for further examination and remanded in custody. Gomo's brother Regis Nyatsanza told the BBC he had recently spoken to his sister about plans for her 40th birthday. Speaking from their home in Zimbabwe, he said his sister had been the family's 'deputy parent' as the eldest of four siblings. 'Two weeks ago we were laughing about throwing her a big 40th birthday bash but she said she had achieved most of what she wanted,' he told the broadcaster. 'After all the struggle, she had everything she wanted and so she was going to have a quiet celebration.' Among those paying tribute to the 'exceptional scientist' was the Green MSP Maggie Chapman. The North East MSP, who was born in Zimbabwe, posted on social media: 'Devastating to hearof Dr Fortune Gomo in Dundee this weekend. Sending my love and condolences to her family and friends.' Chapman will next month become the University of Dundee's rector. Angela Machonesa, who studied alongside Gomo in Zimbabwe, said her friend was 'a brilliant light'. In a tribute posted on social media, she said they had attended Chinhoyi High School and the National University of Science and Technology together. 'Her brilliance in the classroom was only matched by her emotional intelligence,' Machonesa wrote. 'A child will now grow up without the love and presence of a mother. A family will mourn a daughter who once lit up their home with hope and promise. A community, ours, will ache for a friend, a sister, a schoolmate, who inspired us all.' She added: 'We are heartbroken. We are angry. We are disoriented. But we are also united in one voice: Fortune Gomo mattered. Her life mattered. Her legacy must never be forgotten.' Professor Simon Parsons, director of environment planning and assurance at Scottish Water, said everyone at the company was 'shocked and saddened' by her death. He said: '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.' Professor Nigel Seaton, the University of Dundee's interim principal and vice-chancellor, said Gomo had been a postdoctoral research assistant at the university until February 2022. He said the scientist's death was 'a truly shocking event in our city and for our university community'. 'It will be particularly distressing for those who knew and worked with Fortune throughout her time here at the university, and for all of those in our close-knit community of African colleagues and students,' he said. Chief superintendent Nicola Russell, Dundee police commander, 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. '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.' She appealed for witnesses to contact the force. A fundraising event for the scientist's family planned at Sandy's Bar in Liff Road, Dundee, on Sunday has had an 'overwhelming' response. Sinéad McGuire, the venue's manager, said: 'It happened on our doorstep and we wanted to do anything we can do to help make the family's time a bit easier or take a bit of the burden from them.'
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Man, 20, is charged with murder as tributes are paid to 'rising star' scientist
A man yesterday appeared in court accused of the murder of a scientist who was found injured on a city street. Kyler Rattray appeared in private at Dundee Sheriff Court on a single murder charge. The 20-year-old, from Dundee, made no plea and was remanded in custody. He is set to appear in court again within eight days. It comes after Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, was found on Dundee's South Street on Saturday afternoon. Emergency crews arrived at around 4.25pm but the scientist, originally from Zimbabwe, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family yesterday spoke of their shock at the death of Dr Gomo, who had graduated with a PhD from Dundee University and recently started working for Scottish Water. Brother Regis Nyatsanza, speaking from Harare in Zimbabwe, said she would have soon turned 40 and they had been discussing how she might celebrate. She was the oldest of four siblings, he said, and described her as the 'deputy parent' of the family. Mr Nyatsanza told the BBC: 'Two weeks ago we were laughing about throwing her a big 40th birthday bash but she said she had achieved most of what she wanted. 'After all the struggle she had everything she wanted and so she was going to have a quiet celebration.' Dr Gomo, who is believed to have had a ten-year-old daughter, was an expert in water conservation and led efforts to improve water and food security in both Scotland and sub-Saharan Africa. She was hailed as a 'rising star' in her field. Scottish Water director of environment planning and assurance, Professor Simon Parsons, said: '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.' Dundee local police commander Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell said yesterday: 'Our enquiries are continuing and we are confident that nobody else was involved and there is no wider threat to the public. '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.' First Minister John Swinney said: 'I am desperately saddened by the news of the death of Dr Fortune Gomo and extend my sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues.'
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Death of scientist in Dundee ‘being treated as murder' as man charged
The death of a scientist in Dundee is being investigated as a murder and a 20-year-old man has been charged, police said. Police Scotland on Sunday named the victim as Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, who was a mother living in the area. Officers were called to a report that a woman had been seriously injured in the city's South Road at around 4.25pm on Saturday. She was treated by paramedics but pronounced dead at the scene. 'A post-mortem has taken place and her death is now being treated as murder,' the force said on Sunday. Dr Gomo's high school and university friend said her 'brilliance in the classroom was only matched by her emotional intelligence'. Police have launched a probe into the death (stock pic) (Image: PA) Angela Machonesa studied with Dr Gomo at Chinhoyi High School and the National University of Science and Technology, which are both in Zimbabwe, south-east Africa. In a social media post, she said: '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. And she was doing just that. 'But now, that dream, our Fortune's dream, has been violently, senselessly, stolen from us all. She added: 'A child will now grow up without the love and presence of a mother. A family will mourn a daughter who once lit up their home with hope and promise.' Ms Machonesa said she and Dr Gomo went their separate ways after their studies. Dr Gomo was an environmental and water resources scientist and her specialisms included water resources management, environmental sustainability, and policy. According to social media, she was employed by Scottish Water in water resources planning. She was awarded a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee. Her doctorate looked at the links between the environment and policy making in the Zambezi river basin, particularly in Malawi. Professor Nigel Seaton, University of Dundee's interim principal and vice-chancellor, said the death of the former research assistant 'is a truly shocking event in our city and for our university community', BBC News reported. He added: 'It will be particularly distressing for those who knew and worked with Fortune throughout her time here at the university, and for all of those in our close-knit community of African colleagues and students.' A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and the man arrested is to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday. READ MORE: 'Life-changing' work at university selected for prestigious science showcase Dundee University roiled as interim finance chief quits after eight days in job Scottish families vote V&A Dundee as one of best museums in UK Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp, the officer in charge of the inquiry, said his thoughts are with Dr Gomo's family. 'They are being supported by specialist officers and I would ask that their privacy is respected,' he said. Det Supt Sharp added: 'Our enquiries are continuing and I remain satisfied that the incident poses no wider risk to the public. 'At this early stage of the investigation we are following a number of lines of inquiry.' He said he is 'acutely aware of content circulating on social media' and urged members of the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the incident. There will be an increased police presence in the area. Witnesses and anyone with information on the incident have been asked to contact the force on 101 quoting incident number 2283 of July 5 2025. They can also speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Murder probe as mum is found dying in street
Tributes have been paid to a scientist who was allegedly murdered in broad daylight. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, was attacked on Saturday afternoon as she walked on South Road in Dundee. Emergency services were alerted to the incident at around 4.25pm but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed that following a post-mortem examination, the incident is being treated as murder and that a 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with Dr Gomo's death. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal and he is due to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court today. Dr Gomo, who is believed to have had a ten-year-old daughter, had moved from Zimbabwe to Scotland to complete a PhD at the University of Dundee. An expert in water conservation, Dr Gomo led initiatives to improve water and food security in both Scotland and sub-Saharan Africa, and was hailed as a 'rising star' in her field. The mother's death has been condemned as 'truly shocking' by her friends and colleagues both in Scotland and in Africa. Angela Machonesa, who studied with Dr Gomo in Zimbabwe, wrote: 'A child will now grow up without the love and presence of a mother. A family will mourn a daughter who once lit up their home with hope and promise. 'A community, ours, will ache for a friend, a sister, a schoolmate, who inspired us all. Her future was not just her own, it belonged to all of us who saw the power of what an African girl can become when given a chance and when fuelled by brilliance.' A spokesman for the University of Dundee added: 'This has been a truly shocking event in our city and for our university community. 'It will be particularly distressing for those who knew and worked with Fortune throughout her time as a PhD student and postdoctoral research assistant in geography, and for all of those in our close-knit community of African colleagues and students. 'Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this tragic time.' Members of Dundee's Zimbabwean community gathered in the city yesterday afternoon to pay their respects to Dr Gomo and demand action on spiralling crime across the country. Choking back tears, one resident told crowds: 'Why should we live in fear? Why should our kids live in fear? We demand peace.' Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp, the officer leading the inquiry, said: 'Firstly, my thoughts remain with Fortune's family at this incredibly sad time. They are being supported by specialist officers and I would ask that their privacy is respected. 'Our enquiries are continuing and I remain satisfied that the incident poses no wider risk to the public. At this early stage of the investigation we are following a number of lines of inquiry. I am also acutely aware of content circulating on social media and would urge the public not to speculate about the circumstances of the incident. The public will notice a visibly increased police presence in the area and I would encourage anyone who has any concerns to speak with our officers.' DS Sharp said it had been a 'distressing incident for those who witnessed and attended the incident' and appealed for anyone who can assist officers to contact Police Scotland on 101 or to call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged in murder investigation after scientist fatally injured on Dundee street
A 20-year-old man has been charged after police launched a murder investigation into the death of a scientist who was found seriously injured on a street in Dundee. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, had been found in the city's South Road at around 4:25pm on Saturday. Emergency services rushed to the scene but despite treatment from paramedics, the mother who lived in the area was pronounced dead at the scene. The force confirmed a 20-year-old man has been charged in connection to the death. 'A post-mortem has taken place and her death is now being treated as murder,' the force said on Sunday. Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp, the officer in charge of the inquiry, said his thoughts are with Dr Gomo's family. Det Supt Sharp added: 'Our enquiries are continuing and I remain satisfied that the incident poses no wider risk to the public. 'At this early stage of the investigation we are following a number of lines of inquiry.' Ms Machonesa said she and Dr Gomo went their separate ways after their studies. Dr Gomo was an environmental and water resources scientist and her specialisms included water resources management, environmental sustainability, and policy. According to social media, she was employed by Scottish Water in water resources planning. She was awarded a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee, where her doctorate looked at the links between the environment and policy making in the Zambezi river basin, particularly in Malawi. After her death, Dr Gomo's high school and university friend paid tribute her 'brilliance in the classroom' which 'was only matched by her emotional intelligence'. Angela Machonesa, who studied with her at Chinhoyi High School and the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, said in a social media post: '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. And she was doing just that. 'But now, that dream, our Fortune's dream, has been violently, senselessly, stolen from us all. She added: 'A child will now grow up without the love and presence of a mother. A family will mourn a daughter who once lit up their home with hope and promise.' A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and the man arrested is to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday. He said he is 'acutely aware of content circulating on social media' and urged members of the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the incident. There will be an increased police presence in the area. Witnesses and anyone with information on the incident have been asked to contact the force on 101 quoting incident number 2283 of July 5 2025. They can also speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
