By Jaidyn Kennedy
Police have released CCTV footage from a Truganina house fire last month in a public appeal to help identify the killers of Katie Tangey.
Ms Tangey, a 27-year-old Hoppers Crossing woman who was house sitting at her brother’s home on Dover Street, died in an arson attack that police now believe is linked to Melbourne’s ongoing tobacco wars.
Emergency services were called to reports of a fire at a residential property on Dover Street about 2.30am on Thursday, January 16.
Ms Tangey called triple zero (000) from inside the property to report the fire. She later died in the fire along with the family’s golden retriever. The three-storey townhouse was completely destroyed.
CCTV footage captured a dark coloured vehicle, similar in appearance to a BMW X3, travelling north on Forsyth Road in Truganina at approximately 2.12am.
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.
Following weeks of investigations, detectives believe that the attack targeted the wrong address and neither Ms Tangey, nor her family or friends, had any links to organised crime.
Arson and Explosives Squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray described the incident as one of the most tragic cases he had seen in his 38 years in the force.
“Katie Tangey, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a beloved member of her community, has needlessly lost her life in this senseless and despicable incident, which we are investigating as a deliberate act,” he said.
“The violence that we have seen from these organised crime syndicates and this relentless drive for profits above all else has resulted in this incident.
“It could be described as nothing less than a flagrant disregard for human life.”
Anyone with information or who recognises the men or the vehicle involved can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
