Police offer $500k reward after 27yo woman killed in Truganina arson attack
On Monday, police announced the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Katie Tangey's death.
Ms Tangey, 27, was housesitting for her brother in the suburb of Truganina in January when the home was engulfed in flames.
Police suspect it was a targeted attack on the wrong house.
'Those responsible for Katie's death know they targeted the wrong house, and they have to live with the knowledge that they are responsible for the horrific death of a completely innocent young woman,' Detective Inspector Chris Murray said in a statement on Monday.
Police suspect the attack was linked to Victoria's massive illicit tobacco trade.
'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,' 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 deserve answers.'
Two men were captured on camera carrying a jerry can, then fleeing the scene in a dark-coloured BMW X3 or X5 after a 'significant explosion', police say.
Ms Tangey called triple-0 from inside the three-storey home, which was completely destroyed in the blaze.
She could not escape and died at the scene, as did the family's golden retriever Sonny.
Police released a digital composite image of one of the suspects in April, describing him as being Middle Eastern in appearance with a slim build and aged between 25 and 30.
In June, a house in Dandenong was searched by police. No arrests have been made, and police are still analysing several mobile phones that were seized.
An anonymous phone call was also made to Crime Stoppers, which has left police appealing for information about the nickname or pseudonym the tipster revealed.
'We know there are people in the community who have inside knowledge of the planning and directing as well as the identity of those who took part in the arson,' Inspector Murray said.
'We are doing everything we can to locate those people and hold them to account.'
'These people need to be held accountable for the fact they committed a crime, which ultimately led to the death of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her.
'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.'
The $500,000 reward for information leading to a conviction is at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police.
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