Mobile data could lead police to deadly arson attackers
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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The Advertiser
21-07-2025
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Fatal fire probe 'getting closer' to answers as major reward announced
Detectives investigating a fatal fire that killed a beloved burlesque performer say they are "getting closer" to proving who was responsible, with a $500,000 reward for information announced. Katie Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother and his wife in Truganina on the night of January 16 when two alleged arsonists set fire to the Dover Street property. Investigators believe the arsonists, who were allegedly associated with Victoria's illicit tobacco trade, set fire to the wrong home. "Those responsible for Katie's death know they targeted the wrong house," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said. "And they have to live with the knowledge that they are responsible for the horrific death of a completely innocent young woman," he said. Detectives were honing in on the alleged culprits after executing a search warrant in Dandenong on 12 June, police said. "We believe we know who directed this crime, and we know we are getting closer to proving who was responsible for carrying it out on the night," Detective Inspector Murray said. A reward of up to half a million dollars would be paid for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Ms Tangey's death, police said. The reward would be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police. Detective Inspector Murray said, "$500,000 is a lot of money - hopefully it will encourage those people out there who do know something to do the right thing and come forward". "Katie's family deserves answers," he said. Indemnification from prosecution could be granted to anyone who provided detectives with the identity of the principal offender or offenders, police said. Two men were allegedly seen on security footage fleeing the scene of the fire, holding a jerry can. The footage was enhanced by investigators in an attempt to identify the men. A composite image of one of the men was released in April, showing a person of Middle Eastern appearance, aged between 25 and 30 years old and with a slim build. Police said that a number of anonymous reports had provided useful information for the investigation, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who recognised the man. CCTV showed two people getting out of a dark-coloured car, similar to a BMW X3 or X5, outside the Truganina home shortly after 2am on January 16. Police said a "significant explosion" set fire to the house as the alleged arsonists left the area. Emergency services were called to the home at 2.30am by Ms Tangey, who told the Triple Zero operator that the house was engulfed by flames. The family's golden retriever, Sonny, also died in the fire. Detectives have conducted a six-month investigation to determine the motivation for the attack. Investigators have worked closely with Taskforce Lunar, which is probing Melbourne's illicit tobacco war, to confirm that the arson was linked to the ongoing dispute. Investigators believe that Ms Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade, police said. "These people need to be held accountable for the fact that they committed a crime which ultimately led to the death of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her," Detective Inspector Murray said. "I'd ask how these people can live with themselves knowing they've done that and I would ask how people who know what the offenders have done, how they can live with this knowledge and not come forward and assist police," he said. The investigation remains ongoing, police said. Any information given will be treated as confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at Detectives investigating a fatal fire that killed a beloved burlesque performer say they are "getting closer" to proving who was responsible, with a $500,000 reward for information announced. Katie Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother and his wife in Truganina on the night of January 16 when two alleged arsonists set fire to the Dover Street property. Investigators believe the arsonists, who were allegedly associated with Victoria's illicit tobacco trade, set fire to the wrong home. "Those responsible for Katie's death know they targeted the wrong house," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said. "And they have to live with the knowledge that they are responsible for the horrific death of a completely innocent young woman," he said. Detectives were honing in on the alleged culprits after executing a search warrant in Dandenong on 12 June, police said. "We believe we know who directed this crime, and we know we are getting closer to proving who was responsible for carrying it out on the night," Detective Inspector Murray said. A reward of up to half a million dollars would be paid for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Ms Tangey's death, police said. The reward would be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police. Detective Inspector Murray said, "$500,000 is a lot of money - hopefully it will encourage those people out there who do know something to do the right thing and come forward". "Katie's family deserves answers," he said. Indemnification from prosecution could be granted to anyone who provided detectives with the identity of the principal offender or offenders, police said. Two men were allegedly seen on security footage fleeing the scene of the fire, holding a jerry can. The footage was enhanced by investigators in an attempt to identify the men. A composite image of one of the men was released in April, showing a person of Middle Eastern appearance, aged between 25 and 30 years old and with a slim build. Police said that a number of anonymous reports had provided useful information for the investigation, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who recognised the man. CCTV showed two people getting out of a dark-coloured car, similar to a BMW X3 or X5, outside the Truganina home shortly after 2am on January 16. Police said a "significant explosion" set fire to the house as the alleged arsonists left the area. Emergency services were called to the home at 2.30am by Ms Tangey, who told the Triple Zero operator that the house was engulfed by flames. The family's golden retriever, Sonny, also died in the fire. Detectives have conducted a six-month investigation to determine the motivation for the attack. Investigators have worked closely with Taskforce Lunar, which is probing Melbourne's illicit tobacco war, to confirm that the arson was linked to the ongoing dispute. Investigators believe that Ms Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade, police said. "These people need to be held accountable for the fact that they committed a crime which ultimately led to the death of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her," Detective Inspector Murray said. "I'd ask how these people can live with themselves knowing they've done that and I would ask how people who know what the offenders have done, how they can live with this knowledge and not come forward and assist police," he said. The investigation remains ongoing, police said. Any information given will be treated as confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at Detectives investigating a fatal fire that killed a beloved burlesque performer say they are "getting closer" to proving who was responsible, with a $500,000 reward for information announced. Katie Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother and his wife in Truganina on the night of January 16 when two alleged arsonists set fire to the Dover Street property. Investigators believe the arsonists, who were allegedly associated with Victoria's illicit tobacco trade, set fire to the wrong home. "Those responsible for Katie's death know they targeted the wrong house," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said. "And they have to live with the knowledge that they are responsible for the horrific death of a completely innocent young woman," he said. Detectives were honing in on the alleged culprits after executing a search warrant in Dandenong on 12 June, police said. "We believe we know who directed this crime, and we know we are getting closer to proving who was responsible for carrying it out on the night," Detective Inspector Murray said. A reward of up to half a million dollars would be paid for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Ms Tangey's death, police said. The reward would be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police. Detective Inspector Murray said, "$500,000 is a lot of money - hopefully it will encourage those people out there who do know something to do the right thing and come forward". "Katie's family deserves answers," he said. Indemnification from prosecution could be granted to anyone who provided detectives with the identity of the principal offender or offenders, police said. Two men were allegedly seen on security footage fleeing the scene of the fire, holding a jerry can. The footage was enhanced by investigators in an attempt to identify the men. A composite image of one of the men was released in April, showing a person of Middle Eastern appearance, aged between 25 and 30 years old and with a slim build. Police said that a number of anonymous reports had provided useful information for the investigation, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who recognised the man. CCTV showed two people getting out of a dark-coloured car, similar to a BMW X3 or X5, outside the Truganina home shortly after 2am on January 16. Police said a "significant explosion" set fire to the house as the alleged arsonists left the area. Emergency services were called to the home at 2.30am by Ms Tangey, who told the Triple Zero operator that the house was engulfed by flames. The family's golden retriever, Sonny, also died in the fire. Detectives have conducted a six-month investigation to determine the motivation for the attack. Investigators have worked closely with Taskforce Lunar, which is probing Melbourne's illicit tobacco war, to confirm that the arson was linked to the ongoing dispute. Investigators believe that Ms Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade, police said. "These people need to be held accountable for the fact that they committed a crime which ultimately led to the death of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her," Detective Inspector Murray said. "I'd ask how these people can live with themselves knowing they've done that and I would ask how people who know what the offenders have done, how they can live with this knowledge and not come forward and assist police," he said. The investigation remains ongoing, police said. Any information given will be treated as confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at Detectives investigating a fatal fire that killed a beloved burlesque performer say they are "getting closer" to proving who was responsible, with a $500,000 reward for information announced. Katie Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother and his wife in Truganina on the night of January 16 when two alleged arsonists set fire to the Dover Street property. Investigators believe the arsonists, who were allegedly associated with Victoria's illicit tobacco trade, set fire to the wrong home. "Those responsible for Katie's death know they targeted the wrong house," Detective Inspector Chris Murray said. "And they have to live with the knowledge that they are responsible for the horrific death of a completely innocent young woman," he said. Detectives were honing in on the alleged culprits after executing a search warrant in Dandenong on 12 June, police said. "We believe we know who directed this crime, and we know we are getting closer to proving who was responsible for carrying it out on the night," Detective Inspector Murray said. A reward of up to half a million dollars would be paid for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for Ms Tangey's death, police said. The reward would be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police. Detective Inspector Murray said, "$500,000 is a lot of money - hopefully it will encourage those people out there who do know something to do the right thing and come forward". "Katie's family deserves answers," he said. Indemnification from prosecution could be granted to anyone who provided detectives with the identity of the principal offender or offenders, police said. Two men were allegedly seen on security footage fleeing the scene of the fire, holding a jerry can. The footage was enhanced by investigators in an attempt to identify the men. A composite image of one of the men was released in April, showing a person of Middle Eastern appearance, aged between 25 and 30 years old and with a slim build. Police said that a number of anonymous reports had provided useful information for the investigation, and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who recognised the man. CCTV showed two people getting out of a dark-coloured car, similar to a BMW X3 or X5, outside the Truganina home shortly after 2am on January 16. Police said a "significant explosion" set fire to the house as the alleged arsonists left the area. Emergency services were called to the home at 2.30am by Ms Tangey, who told the Triple Zero operator that the house was engulfed by flames. The family's golden retriever, Sonny, also died in the fire. Detectives have conducted a six-month investigation to determine the motivation for the attack. Investigators have worked closely with Taskforce Lunar, which is probing Melbourne's illicit tobacco war, to confirm that the arson was linked to the ongoing dispute. Investigators believe that Ms Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade, police said. "These people need to be held accountable for the fact that they committed a crime which ultimately led to the death of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her," Detective Inspector Murray said. "I'd ask how these people can live with themselves knowing they've done that and I would ask how people who know what the offenders have done, how they can live with this knowledge and not come forward and assist police," he said. The investigation remains ongoing, police said. Any information given will be treated as confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at
Sydney Morning Herald
21-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
$500,000 reward in case of ‘tobacco war' firebomb that killed innocent burlesque performer
Six months after the deadly firebombing that claimed the life of burlesque performer Katie Tangey, police have announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Tangey, 27, became the first innocent bystander to die in Victoria's escalating 'tobacco wars'. Emergency services were called to a house fire on Dover Street in Truganina around 2.30am on January 16. Tangey, who had been house sitting for her brother who was away on his honeymoon, called triple-0 to say the home was engulfed in fire. Tangey and the family's golden retriever, Sonny, died inside the three-storey townhouse. CCTV footage released by police as part of their investigation shows two people arriving shortly after 2am on the morning of the fire in a dark-coloured SUV, believed to be similar to a BMW X3 or X5. A ring camera at the Dover Street house also captures the moment the house is engulfed, before two men, one carrying what appears to be a jerry can, flee the scene. Police believe the firebombing was a targeted arson attack, but the offenders struck the wrong home and intended to target a different unit in the same complex.
