Dad of Scot accused of murdering woman sends condolences to her family
The dad of a man accused of the murder of a scientist in Dundee has sent an emotional message of condolence to her family.
Kenny Rattray says he is "utterly devastated" and struggling to function since the tragic death of Dr Fortune Gomo on Saturday.
His 20-year-old son, Kyler Rattray, has been accused of murdering the 39-year-old University of Dundee scientist.
Rattray made no plea and was committed for further examination and remanded in custody.
A further court hearing will take place within the next eight days.
Dr Gomo was found seriously injured on the city's South Road. Mercy crews fought to save her, but sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Now days later, Kyler's devastated dad, says he wants to speak out as he sent his condolences to Dr Gomo's family.
Kenny said: 'I send my condolences to her family, her daughter, her close friends.
'I've just been praying every single hour that people could find the strength to get through this, whether they do or not, I just hope they've got some kind of support network, because it's absolutely horrendous. '
He added: 'I'm trying to get through the hours here.
'We've been left utterly devastated.'
Originally from Zimbabwe, Dr Gomo worked for Scottish Water and graduated with a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee.
A university spokesperson described her death as a 'truly shocking event'.
This week we told how Dr Gomo's brother revealed his sister had been planning her big 40th celebrations in just a few weeks' time.
Regis Nyantsanza spoke from Zimbabwe paying a loving tribute to his sister, the eldest of four siblings, describing her as the"deputy parent" of the family.
Regis said: "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."
Other heartfelt tributes have been paid to Fortune who lived locally and worked for Scottish Water.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The scientist, who was originally from Zimbabwe, is understood to have obtained a PhD at University of Dundee in recent years.
Scottish Water has said Fortune was an "exceptional" scientist and they are supporting her colleagues at this difficult time.
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."
The University of Dundee said: '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.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
More than 70 people arrested at protests supporting banned Palestine Action
The UK Government proscribed Palestine Action in June, after protestors from the group caused £7 million worth of damage at an RAF base. More than 70 people have been arrested at demonstrations held against Palestine Action being proscribed as a terror group by the UK Government. Protestors have gathered in cities across England and Wales after police reiterated that showing support for the group was a criminal offence. 42 people were arrested in London after crowds gathered for the second week in a row. A further 16 arrests were made in Manchester and 13 people were also held in Cardiff at other related demonstrations on Saturday. In London, two groups of protesters gathered underneath both the Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela statues in Parliament Square for the demonstration shortly after 1pm. The individuals then wrote the message 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' with black markers on pieces of cardboard, and silently held the signs aloft as they were surrounded by Metropolitan Police officers and members of the media. Some demonstrators could be seen lying on top of each other on the floor as police searched their bags and took their ID cards and handmade signs. Officers could then be seen carrying away a number of protesters who were lying down, lifting them off the ground and into waiting police vans parked around the square. Other standing protesters were also led away from the statues and placed into the vans. The last of the protesters was lifted from the Nelson Mandela statue shortly after 2.30pm. All but one of the 42 arrests were for showing support for a proscribed organisation, while one person was arrested for common assault, the Metropolitan Police said in a post on social media. Greater Manchester Police said it had arrested 16 people under the Terrorism Act after responding to a protest in St Peter's Square, Manchester, at around 2.30pm on Saturday. South Wales Police also confirmed 13 people were arrested on suspicion of committing offences under the same Act during a protest in the vicinity of Central Square, Cardiff. In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said a 58-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of demonstrating support for Palestine Action in Leeds. He was interviewed at a police station before being released on bail. Scotland Yard said its stance remains that officers will act where criminal offences, including support of proscribed groups or organisations, are committed. The force added that this includes ' chanting, wearing clothing or displaying articles such as flags, signs or logos'. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Police arrested 29 people at a similar protest in Parliament Square last weekend. They were detained for around 12 hours before being released on bail without charge, Defend Our Juries said. The terror group designation means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The move to ban the organisation came after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20, an incident claimed by Palestine Action, which police said caused about £7 million worth of damage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action three days later, saying that the vandalism of the planes was 'disgraceful' and the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage'.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Glasgow river incident as emergency services race to scene
Crews swarmed the Kelvindale Road area on Saturday. Emergency services have swooped on a Glasgow river amid an ongoing incident. Police, the ambulance service and the fire brigade are all in attendance on Kelvindale Road, near the city's Maryhill area on Saturday, July 12. The circumstances surrounding the incident at the River Kelvin are still to be confirmed. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Local reports suggest a specialist water rescue team is also on scene. A police helicopter is also said to have been spotted overhead.
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Teenager rushed to hospital following 'serious assault' on Glasgow street
Police are appealing for any witnesses or people with dash-cam footage. A teenager has been rushed to hospital following a late-night "serious assault" in the southside of Glasgow. Emergency services were called to Belleisle Street in Govanhill, at the junction with Dixon Avenue, at around 11.35pm on Friday, July 11. Police have said a 19-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment. His condition is currently unknown. Three men were believed to have headed in the direction of Dixon Avenue around the time of the incident. Officers are now looking for anybody with information or footage that may help their enquiries to contact them. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. 'I'm especially keen to speak to anyone who saw three men heading in the direction of Dixon Avenue. 'Drivers with dash-cams are also asked to please review your footage for anything of significance.' Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 4543 of 11 July, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
