Latest news with #KylerRattray
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- 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.'
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Police warn against sharing ‘misinformation' over death of Dundee scientist
Police Scotland have urged the public to avoid sharing 'misinformation' following the death of a scientist in Dundee at the weekend. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, a mother who worked for Scottish Water, was allegedly attacked in Dundee just before 4.30pm on Saturday. Detectives say they recognise the 'shock' in the local community and improving safety for women and girls is a 'priority'. Dr Gomo died at the scene of the incident despite attempts to save her. On Monday, Kyler Rattray, 20, appeared in private at Dundee Sheriff Court, facing a single charge of murder. No plea was entered and he was remanded in custody. Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell, Dundee local police commander, said detectives were 'confident that nobody else was involved and there is no wider threat to the public'. She said senior officers had met with community leaders 'to provide reassurance and support', and that the murder had 'caused shock' in the city, urging the public not to share 'misinformation' on social media or to prejudice the court case. Ms Russell said: 'The death of Fortune Gomo has caused shock in Dundee. ' 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. 'Fortune's family and friends, who are being supported by specialist officers, are very much in our thoughts today, as is the wider community. 'A 20-year-old man was arrested shortly after this incident and has been charged in connection with Fortune's death. 'He appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court today and has been remanded in custody. '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 inquiries are continuing and we are confident that nobody else was involved and there is no wider threat to the public. 'Working with partners to tackle violence and make Scotland's communities safe for all women and girls is a priority for Police Scotland. '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. 'We have increased our patrols in the area so you will see more officers out on the streets of Dundee. I would encourage anyone with any concerns at all to speak with those officers. 'I would also like to ask anyone who was in the South Road area of Dundee around 4.25pm on Saturday and who may have information to please come forward. You can contact us by calling 101 and quote incident number 2283 of July 5 2025. 'Information can also be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Man in court charged with murder following death of scientist in Dundee
A man has appeared in court charged with murder following the death of a scientist in an alleged street attack in Dundee. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, died after suffering injuries near her home on Saturday afternoon. On Monday, 20-year-old Kyler Rattray appeared in private at Dundee Sheriff Court, facing a single charge of murder. No plea was entered and he was remanded in custody. The case is due to call again within eight days. Earlier, tributes were paid to the 'exceptional' scientist, who worked for Scottish Water. She started her job less than six months ago, and was praised as a 'highly valued' colleague. Dr Gomo had studied in Scotland and Zimbabwe and was also a mother. She had graduated from the National University of Science and Technology, in Zimbabwe, and obtained a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee, according to social media. 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.'
Sky News
6 days ago
- Sky News
Dr Fortune Gomo: Tributes to scientist as man appears in court charged with murder
Why you can trust Sky News A young man has appeared in court charged with murder following the death of a scientist who was found seriously injured in a Dundee street. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency crews were called to the city's South Road at about 4.25pm on Saturday. Police Scotland announced a murder investigation was taking place following a post-mortem examination. Kyler Rattray, 20, was arrested and charged in connection with the case and appeared before Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday. The suspect made no plea to the single charge of murder. Rattray was remanded in custody and is due back in the dock within the next eight days. Dr Gomo was originally from Zimbabwe but lived locally, was a graduate of the University of Dundee, and worked for Scottish Water. 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." Angela Machonesa, who studied with Dr Gomo at Chinhoyi High School and at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, paid tribute to her friend in a post on Facebook. 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. 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." Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp said Dr Gomo's family were being supported by specialist officers as he urged all those with information to come forward. He 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. I am also acutely aware of content circulating on social media and urge the public not to speculate about the circumstances of the incident.
