Ruth Mutyavaviri
A 20-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Zimbabwean scientist Dr. Fortune Gomo, who died after being found seriously injured in a Dundee street.
Dr. Gomo, 39, originally from Mutare in eastern Zimbabwe, was discovered with fatal stab wounds on South Road in the city’s Lochee area on Saturday afternoon. Despite receiving emergency treatment from paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kyler Rattray, a resident of Dundee, appeared in private at Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday. He faced a murder charge, made no plea, and was remanded in custody pending further investigation.
Dr. Gomo had recently joined Scottish Water, following the completion of his PhD at the University of Dundee. Colleagues and friends have described him as a brilliant and humble scientist who had a promising future.
In a statement issued Monday night, the Zimbabwean Embassy in the UK confirmed Dr. Gomo had been fatally stabbed and expressed condolences to his family. The embassy said it had deployed a team to Dundee to support the ongoing investigation and to provide assistance to Dr. Gomo’s relatives.
“The embassy is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dr. Gomo,” the statement read. “We are working closely with Scottish authorities and offering all necessary support to the bereaved family.”