A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a scientist who was found fatally injured in a Dundee street.
Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, was treated by paramedics but died in South Road, in the city’s Lochee area on Saturday afternoon.
Kyler Rattray, from Dundee, made no plea and was remanded in custody when he appeared in private at Dundee Sheriff Court.
Dr Gomo, who was originally from Mutare in eastern Zimbabwe, had graduated with a PhD from Dundee University, and recently started working for Scottish Water.
A statement released by the Zimbabwean embassy on Monday night said Dr Gomo had been fatally stabbed.
It announced that an embassy team had been sent to Dundee to “engage with Scottish authorities on the ongoing investigation” and would support and assist Dr Gomo’s immediate family.
The statement also said the team would “ensure that Zimbabwean citizens are treated with dignity and that justice is pursued diligently”.
Dr Gomo’s family in Zimbabwe told BBC News they were still in shock at the news of her death.
Her brother Regis Nyatsanza said she would have turned 40 in a few weeks, and they had recently been discussing how she might celebrate.
Speaking from Harare, he said his sister was the eldest of four siblings and was seen as the “deputy parent” of the family.
“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 said.
“After all the struggle, she had everything she wanted, and so she was going to have a quiet celebration.”
A friend of Dr Gomo, Angela Machonesa, wrote on Facebook that she had been at school and university with her in Zimbabwe, and that her death had left her devastated.
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.
“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.”
Collections have been started in Dundee to raise money for Dr Gomo’s family and many floral tributes have been left at the scene of her death in South Road.
A message attached to one of the said: “We’re utterly shocked that this has happened in our community. May the angels watch over you.”
Videos widely shared on social media showed members of the local black community seeking reassurances and more information from police officers on duty near the scene on Sunday.
Police Scotland acknowledged that Fortune Gomo’s death had caused great shock throughout Dundee.
In a statement, it said: “Police Scotland is committed to having safer communities and senior officers have met with representatives from the local community to provide reassurance and support during this incredibly difficult time.”
The statement said the 20-year-old suspect had been arrested shortly after the incident, and that police believed there was no wider threat to the public.
Officers also said they were aware of “misinformation being shared on social media”, and urged the people not to speculate on the circumstances of Dr Gomo’s death, saying it could cause further distress to her family.
‘Exceptional scientist’
After leaving Zimbabwe, Dr Gomo had studied in the Netherlands. She had spent the past 10 years continuing her academic and professional career in the UK.
She spent several years in water-related research after completing her doctorate in geography and environmental science at the University of Dundee.
Six months ago she began working full-time for Scottish Water as a senior resource planner. Simon Parsons, director of environment planning at Scottish Water, offered the company’s deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
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.”
Police have said Dr Gomo’s family are being supported by specialist officers.
Det Supt Peter Sharp, leading the investigation, said inquiries were continuing but there was no wider risk to the public.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Police Scotland.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
