Dancer Stacey Tierney was found dead in a Melbourne strip club

SHE was partying with men in an empty Melbourne strip club and then Stacey Tierney somehow died. Her body was found 12 hours later.

THE devastated family of British dancer Stacey Tierney are struggling to get information about events leading to her death inside a Melbourne strip club.

The body of Stacey Tierney, 29, was found in a room in Dreams ­Gentlemen’s Club on the Sunday before Christmas. She had been drinking with several men who had access to the venue, which is on Elizabeth St, but it is believed the men all left after she died.

She may have been dead in the club for as long as half-a-day before her body was discovered.

The exotic dancer’s body wasn’t discovered until almost midday on Monday December 19. The club is closed on Sundays.

Her uncle Graham Tierney told news.com.au “she was — and still will be —my beautiful niece, a hard working young lady who was full of life and a lovely personality.”

His brother Stephen, Ms Tierney’s father, was heartbroken by the loss of his “beautiful” daughter. Adding to their grief was the mystery surrounding what happened to her.

“We are finding it difficult to get information, and realise there is an investigation regarding the suspicious circumstances.”

Friends have taken to social media to remember Ms Tierney.

Her former boyfriend Matthew Girvan said on Facebook he was devastated. “Woke up to some horrible news this morning. Sat and watched the sunrise over Indonesia. My ex girlfriend I was with for 6 years passed away. Words can’t describe how devastated I am.”

Ms Tierney’s own Facebook page was full of images from her travels around Australia over the past three years, including spots throughout Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

Police are trying to piece together events that led to Ms Tierney’s death, reported Melbourne’s Herald Sun. CCTV footage is being checked but it isn’t thought to have included private areas of the club Ms Tierney and her companions were in.

Stacey Tierney was found dead on December 19.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman told the Herald Sun: “The exact circumstances surrounding the woman’s death are yet to be determined and a post-mortem will be conducted.”

She saw one friend, Nathan Cartwright, by chance two weeks ago, only days before her death. Mr Cartwright wrote online of the surprise encounter, where neither of them initially recognised each other.

Ms Tierney messaged him later and told him she was “loving life”.

“She talked about how she was loving life and settled into a nice place round the corner. We never managed to catch up face-to-face unfortunately and weirdly enough I’d messaged her at the weekend to sort it out.

“I was very saddened and shocked to hear of the sudden tragedy... a real sweet heart gone too young.”

Her devastated friends and family in Manchester, England, have been trying to raise funds to get her body back home.

“She was such a free spirit ... we just want to bring her home and give her an amazing funeral. We obviously knew how great she was. We were so proud of her and spoke to her all the time,” her cousin Colleen told theManchester Evening News.

Almost $20,000 has been raised on a gofundme internet page.

Ms Tierney had worked as a fitness instructor, doing zumba and spinning classes, both in Manchester, where she studied dance, and then in Australia.

Police have been speaking to those that knew Ms Tierney in Australia to build a picture of who she was.

One friend said she was a “healthy” girl who didn’t use drugs, but who liked to drink.

Other shocked friends have taken to social media to share their grief.

Frankie Melissa Bayford wrote: “I actually can’t believe the news I have received. Stacey you were one of my first friends in Australia and you did all of my travelling with me. Such an amazing character who made everyone smile. Thank you for the memories you gave me. Taken way too young. Condolences to all your friends and family.”

Stacey Tierney’s death is being investigated by Victoria Police.

Stacey Tierney.

Another friend, Guillaume Pochon, wrote: “I’m heart broken, I don’t really know what to say.

Rest In Peace Beautiful Soul Stacey Tierney.”

Her bio described her as a “free spirit” and a “stay wild moon child” where the “happiest time of my life is now”.

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