Just days after earning her PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee, 39-year-old Dr Fortune Gomo was stabbed to death in a broad daylight attack.

BBC News reports that the devastating incident has shocked the academic and local communities.

Dr Gomo, a respected environmental scientist and mother of one, was walking with her 10-year-old daughter at approximately 4:25 pm. on Saturday when she was attacked.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics who responded swiftly, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 20-year-old man has since been arrested and charged in connection with the murder.

Police confirmed that a post-mortem examination has been completed and the death is now officially being treated as murder. Investigations are ongoing.

Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp, who is leading the inquiry, extended his condolences to the grieving family:

“This is a devastating incident that has taken a brilliant and compassionate mind from the world far too soon,” he said.

Dr Gomo was an environmental and water resources scientist whose work focused on sustainability and policy in transboundary water systems.

Her PhD research examined environmental governance in the Zambezi River Basin, with a focus on Malawi.

She was also employed by Scottish Water, where she worked in water resources planning.

Tributes have poured in from across the globe. A former classmate and close friend described her as:

“A woman whose brilliance in the classroom was only matched by her emotional intelligence,” adding, “Her path was written in the stars: to serve, to lead, to heal.

However, that will never happen as Fortune’s dream has been violently and senselessly stolen by the attacker.

“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,” the former classmate added.

Police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward. As the community mourns, many are calling for justice and renewed efforts to address violence.

Source: TUKO.co.ke