A funeral service is to take place for an American-born university researcher who was found dead in a Broughty Ferry flat.
A police investigation was launched after Walter Woodson’s body was discovered in his home in Union Street last month.
Despite initial concerns, it was quickly established there was no foul play and the 56-year-old had died of natural causes.
However, Mr Woodson’s death left a difficulty as details of his background and next of kin were sketchy. He was well known around Broughty Ferry because of his distinctive dreadlocks but he had no family in Scotland and few close friends.
Acquaintances believed he hailed from the US and the American Consulate was asked to help.
Mr Woodson’s family were finally informed of his death and relatives have now agreed to allow a funeral to take place at Dundee Crematorium. The family are unable to attend.
Mr Woodson was raised in New York and studied at Syracuse and Zurich universities, completing his doctorate at University Pierre and Marie Curie in Paris. He came to Scotland in 1999 and took up a post at St Andrews University from 2000 to 2002.
He made his home in Broughty Ferry and remained there.
The Rev Maudeen MacDougall, who knew Mr Woodson personally from his time working as a cleaner at Meadowside St Paul’s in Dundee, will lead the funeral and said all friends of the deceased were welcome to pay their respects.
“Walter was a unique character. He had a great sense of humour and was a sensitive individual,” she said. “Unfortunately, his family cannot make it from the States, but Walter had friends both near and far and it would be really good if those friends could attend the service of thanksgiving for his life.”
The service is on Friday, September 23, at 2.45pm.