CONTENT WARNING: Content in this article may be distressing.
Police have identified the victim of last week’s fatal arson attack in Truganina as Katie Tangey, a 27-year-old woman from Hoppers Crossing.
Tangey, who was house-sitting for her brother at the time of the fire, lost her life when two offenders allegedly set fire to the three-storey townhouse on Dover Street.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray confirmed that Tangey was not the intended target of the attack. “This individual is completely innocent and should not have died,” Murray told reporters, per Herald Sun.
“We have no history on this individual nor the family. In fact, she is the type of girl who doesn’t leave home very much, and it was probably her first time really away and by herself, house sitting for her brother.
“He’s on a honeymoon, and she’s been subjected to the most appalling, despicable act one can imagine.”
The incident occurred around 2:14 am on Thursday when two suspects allegedly firebombed the wrong home. CCTV footage captured a dark-coloured SUV arriving at the scene minutes before the explosion.
Tangey’s mother, Tracey, expressed her grief in a heartfelt statement: “It is with a heavy heart (that) I let you all know my beautiful baby girl passed away in a targeted house fire yesterday morning at 2am. I am completely broken and don’t know how we are going to heal from this devastating news”.
Known in the burlesque community as Vivien May-Royale, Tangey was remembered by friends as a talented performer. Close friend Cherry Charleston described her as “an incredibly talented, wonderful person and powerhouse on stage” in an Instagram Post.
“Another woman lost to male violence in Melbourne. Katie was a bright light, a magnificent glamour queen and a sweet, sweet person, killed in a deliberate house fire in Truganina in the early hours of yesterday,” said another friend on Facebook.
A fellow performer, Pomme De Terror, has also set up a donation link to support Katie’s family through this horrible time.
As the investigation continues, Detective Inspector Murray emphasised the gravity of the situation: “We’re looking for two murderers. Let’s be clear about that”. He urged anyone with information or relevant footage to come forward.
The police are treating the incident as a homicide, and the search for the two suspects remains ongoing.
Lead image: Facebook / 9News
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