Mobile data could lead police to deadly arson attackers
Police are closing in on the culprits of an arson attack in which an innocent woman was killed when a townhouse was set alight in a case of mistaken identity.
Katie Tangey, 27, died along with her family's dog after arsonists hit the wrong address while she was house-sitting her brother's home at Truganina in Melbourne's west, in the early hours of January 16.
Police believe mobile phone data could provide answers in the case, after several phones were seized during a search warrant at a home in Dandenong on Thursday.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray said although no arrests were made, police believe the crime is "solvable".
"We know we are getting closer," he said on Thursday.
"If you know absolutely anything, I cannot implore you enough to find it in yourself to do the right thing and come forward."
Police revealed in February the crime was likely linked to Victoria's illicit tobacco trade wars.
Detectives have been working closely with Taskforce Lunar, a police unit focused on organised crime syndicates and their links to the illicit tobacco trade.
Det Insp Murray said officers were "absolutely determined" to provide what closure and justice they can to the family of Ms Tangey.
The Hoppers Crossing woman, a popular burlesque performer, called emergency services for help from the three-storey townhouse but she and the family's golden retriever did not survive the blaze.
A dark coloured vehicle - similar to a BMW X3 - was seen travelling north on Forsyth Road in Truganina at 2.12am before a camera at the house captured it engulfed in flames and two men, one carrying what appears to be a jerry can, fleeing the scene.
A digital composite image of a man who police wanted to speak to over the attack was released in April.
The blaze devastated the family, including Ms Tangey's brother and his wife who were on their honeymoon at the time.
Det Insp Murray described the incident as one of the most tragic he has seen in 38 years on the force.
"I know Katie's family would want nothing more than to see her live out the whole life she had ahead of her but the least we can do is make sure those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable for their actions," Det Insp Murray said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Mobile data could lead police to deadly arson attackers
Police are closing in on the culprits of an arson attack in which an innocent woman was killed when a townhouse was set alight in a case of mistaken identity. Katie Tangey, 27, died along with her family's dog after arsonists hit the wrong address while she was house-sitting her brother's home at Truganina in Melbourne's west, in the early hours of January 16. Police believe mobile phone data could provide answers in the case, after several phones were seized during a search warrant at a home in Dandenong on Thursday. Detective Inspector Chris Murray said although no arrests were made, police believe the crime is "solvable". "We know we are getting closer," he said on Thursday. "If you know absolutely anything, I cannot implore you enough to find it in yourself to do the right thing and come forward." Police revealed in February the crime was likely linked to Victoria's illicit tobacco trade wars. Detectives have been working closely with Taskforce Lunar, a police unit focused on organised crime syndicates and their links to the illicit tobacco trade. Det Insp Murray said officers were "absolutely determined" to provide what closure and justice they can to the family of Ms Tangey. The Hoppers Crossing woman, a popular burlesque performer, called emergency services for help from the three-storey townhouse but she and the family's golden retriever did not survive the blaze. A dark coloured vehicle - similar to a BMW X3 - was seen travelling north on Forsyth Road in Truganina at 2.12am before a camera at the house captured it engulfed in flames and two men, one carrying what appears to be a jerry can, fleeing the scene. A digital composite image of a man who police wanted to speak to over the attack was released in April. The blaze devastated the family, including Ms Tangey's brother and his wife who were on their honeymoon at the time. Det Insp Murray described the incident as one of the most tragic he has seen in 38 years on the force. "I know Katie's family would want nothing more than to see her live out the whole life she had ahead of her but the least we can do is make sure those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable for their actions," Det Insp Murray said. The investigation remains ongoing.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Mobile data could lead police to deadly arson attackers
Police are closing in on the culprits of an arson attack in which an innocent woman was killed when a townhouse was set alight in a case of mistaken identity. Katie Tangey, 27, died along with her family's dog after arsonists hit the wrong address while she was house-sitting her brother's home at Truganina in Melbourne's west, in the early hours of January 16. Police believe mobile phone data could provide answers in the case, after several phones were seized during a search warrant at a home in Dandenong on Thursday. Detective Inspector Chris Murray said although no arrests were made, police believe the crime is "solvable". "We know we are getting closer," he said on Thursday. "If you know absolutely anything, I cannot implore you enough to find it in yourself to do the right thing and come forward." Police revealed in February the crime was likely linked to Victoria's illicit tobacco trade wars. Detectives have been working closely with Taskforce Lunar, a police unit focused on organised crime syndicates and their links to the illicit tobacco trade. Det Insp Murray said officers were "absolutely determined" to provide what closure and justice they can to the family of Ms Tangey. The Hoppers Crossing woman, a popular burlesque performer, called emergency services for help from the three-storey townhouse but she and the family's golden retriever did not survive the blaze. A dark coloured vehicle - similar to a BMW X3 - was seen travelling north on Forsyth Road in Truganina at 2.12am before a camera at the house captured it engulfed in flames and two men, one carrying what appears to be a jerry can, fleeing the scene. A digital composite image of a man who police wanted to speak to over the attack was released in April. The blaze devastated the family, including Ms Tangey's brother and his wife who were on their honeymoon at the time. Det Insp Murray described the incident as one of the most tragic he has seen in 38 years on the force. "I know Katie's family would want nothing more than to see her live out the whole life she had ahead of her but the least we can do is make sure those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable for their actions," Det Insp Murray said. The investigation remains ongoing.
West Australian
2 days ago
- West Australian
Police chase anonymous tip-off after ‘innocent' Melbourne woman killed
Police are hoping a nickname or alias given by an anonymous caller will be the key to arresting the men who firebombed the wrong Melbourne house, killing a woman inside. Katie Tangey, 27, died inside a family member's house in Truganina in the city's west in January. Police believe two men, filmed at the scene, targeted the wrong address but were motivated by Melbourne's ongoing illicit tobacco wars. On Thursday, police searched a house in the southeast suburb of Dandenong, did not make any arrests, but seized phones. 'We are absolutely determined to provide what closure and justice we can to the family of Katie Tangey,' arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said. Police were 'getting closer' to solving the case, Inspector Murray said. 'I know Katie's family would want nothing more than to see her live out the whole life she had ahead of her, but the least we can do is make sure those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable for their actions. 'Investigators know Katie Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade.' In April, police set up a booth in the Truganina street where Ms Tangey died in the hope of gathering information from the public. A digital composite of one of the arsonists' faces was then also released. 'Via anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers, police were provided information, including a particular call where a name has been given of a pseudonym or nickname,' police say in Thursday's statement. 'Investigators are still urging this particular caller to make further contact and provide additional information.' Ms Tangey was house sitting her brother's home on Dover St on January 16 when two men attacked the property in the early hours with a jerry can. The men were filmed leaving the scene in a dark-coloured BMW X3 or X5. Ms Tangey called triple-0 from inside the three-storey home. She could not escape and died at the scene. A golden retriever named Sunny also died. In the hours after the incident, Inspector Murray was adamant Ms Tangey was the victim of a bungled attack, where the men targeted the wrong home. Appealing for information in April, Inspector Murray called the arsonists 'low lives'. 'There are people out there who are talking and who are providing information,' he said at the time.
