A hardened top detective has described the murder of burlesque dancer Katie Tangey as ‘the most tragic’ he had seen in his 38-year career.
Katie Tangey, 27, and her brother’s Golden Retriever Sunny both died in the targeted house fire in Truganina, in Melbourne’s west, on January 16.
On Tuesday, Victoria Police released CCTV footage of the attack in the hope it may trigger new information that will bring the killers to justice.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray, of the Arson and Explosives Squad, said Ms Tangey had suffered a ‘horrible’ death in the bungled attack which has now been linked to the city’s tobacco wars
‘There are some crimes that stay with you and this is going to be one of those,’ he said. ‘The poor girl didn’t deserve this.
‘In my time, I’d struggle to see such a more tragic and horrific case… she suffered such a horrible fate.
‘She didn’t deserve to die and our job is to bring her and the family some peace and some justice.’
DI Murray said Ms Tangey, her family and friends had no links whatsoever to criminals or the illicit tobacco industry.
Fire engulfs the home where Katie Tangey, 27, and her brother’s Golden Retriever Sunny were trapped
‘What we have is one of the most tragic cases I’ve seen in my 38 years,’ he added.
‘She was home alone, she was housesitting unaware of what was about to unfold. She just had time enough to call triple-0 and unfortunately died as a result of the fire.’
Insp Murray described the people who lit the fire as ‘faceless’ and ‘gutless’ and called on those who knew them to turn them in.
‘We want some names to those faces. What we do know is this, people will talk,’ he said.
‘What I will say to them is “have a conscience”. We would say, “Do the right thing”.’
Investigators believe the arson attack was linked to the illicit tobacco war which has seen a series of fire-bombings on premises across Melbourne for more than a year.
Information received by detectives has suggested it was a targeted attack, but the culprits got the wrong address.
Police have been unable to establish any other reason why Ms Tangey, a burlesque dancer known as Vivien May-Royale, or her brother – who owned the home – would have been targeted.
Katie Tangey, 27, and her brother’s Golden Retriever Sunny were killed in the fire
Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray on Tuesday
Katie Tangey (far right) at her brother’s wedding just days before she was murdered
‘We know it is linked to the illegal tobacco trade … we know this premises was targeted but it’s the wrong address,’ Insp Murray said.
‘Katey Tangey had nothing to do with the illegal tobacco trade, nor did her friends, nor did her family. I just want to make that crystal clear.
‘We’re absolutely convinced of that. They’ve got the wrong address.’
Ms Tangey had been housesitting while her brother Ethan and new wife Brooke Tangey were on their honeymoon.
Insp Murray said police had long feared someone would die in the rampant arson attacks linked to the war.
While the detective refused to say how police established the link to the illicit tobacco trade, he confirmed no other properties in the area Ms Tangey died had been attacked.
‘We know they would have said, “We got the wrong address”. So we know there are people out there that know that an innocent, young girl has lost her life and we hope they’ve got a conscience,’ Insp Murray said.
‘Even the most hardened crook would be disgusted about what has gone on here. We know that. We’ve been told that.
‘So I want somebody to put their money where their mouth is and call Crime Stoppers.’
Ethan and Brooke Tangey and their beloved dog Sunny, who perished alongside Mr Tangey’s sister in the arson attack
Emergency services were initially called to reports of a fire at a residential property on Dover Street about 2.30am
Detectives have spent the past month working to determine a motive for the Dover Street attack and who was responsible
CCTV captured shortly after 2am that night showed two people getting out of a dark coloured vehicle – similar to a BMW X3 – outside the home.
A Ring security camera at the Dover Street house captured the moment the house was engulfed in flames, before the two men, one carrying what appeared to be a jerry can, fled the scene.
Emergency services were called about 2.30am – more than 20 minutes after the townhouse was set alight.
Ms Tangey and Sunny died at the scene and the three-storey townhouse was completely destroyed.
The dark coloured vehicle was captured on CCTV travelling north on Forsyth Road in Truganina about 2.12am.
Detectives have spent the past month working to determine a motive for the attack and who was responsible.
A GoFundMe appeal has revealed the tragedy’s devastating impact on Ms Tangey’s brother and sister-in-law.
‘In the early hours on Thursday January 16, whilst only days into their honeymoon, a time meant to be filled with happiness and love, an absolute tragedy occurred,’ fundraiser organiser Jason Steele stated.
‘The unfortunate and absolutely undeserving victims of an arson attack that took their home and all of their belongings, and more importantly Ethan’s sister and Brooke’s sister in law, Katie Tangey and their loving and one-of-a-kind Golden Retriever child Sunny.’
The killers set fire to the Dover Street home
A car used by the killers was captured on CCTV
The deadly fire is lit
Mr Steele described the couple as ‘the most beautiful and wholesome people’.
‘We are asking all who love them to donate to help them rebuild their lives and help them honour the memories of their beautiful sister Katie and cherished Golden Sunny,’ he told well wishers.
‘Having to replace a home from scratch is difficult but if we all pull together we can help lighten the load on Brooke and Ethan.’
Ms Tangey had acted as bridesmaid at her brother’s wedding just weeks before she was burned alive in the alleged arson attack and posed alongside her brother and his new wife.
The fundraiser is now hoping big-hearted locals will help get the Tangey family back on their feet.
Anyone with information or who recognises those or the vehicle involved is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
