07-07-2025
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.'
