GoFundMe started for couple who lost house, dog in arson attack

Just days into their honeymoon, Ethan Tangey and his new wife Brooke were thrown into a living nightmare.

Just days into their honeymoon, Ethan Tangey and his new wife Brooke were thrown into a living nightmare.

Their home in Melbourne’s west, which was being housesat by Mr Tangey’s 27-year-old sister Katie, was burnt in a targeted arson attack which police believe is a case of mistaken identity.

The attack resulted in the tragic death of Ms Tangey and the couple’s one-year-old Golden Retriever, Sunny.

Police confirmed that Ms Tangey, a burlesque dancer who performed under the name Vivien May-Royale, died inside the home in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Katie Tangey has been identified as the woman killed at Truganina in an arson attack at a home. Picture: Facebook

The police arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said Ms Tangey was “completely innocent”, adding authorities suspect the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

“We’re stuck. The premises and the family and the individual lead us nowhere. Therefore, the only logical conclusion I can draw is they’ve got the wrong premises,” he said.

“There seems to be a fascination with the use of fire to solve crime, solve beef, solve acts of revenge. These are the consequences we’re seeing, and they’re serious consequences. This girl did not deserve to lose her life.”

Friend’s of Mr Tangey and his new wife have launched a GoFundMe for the newlyweds, in a bid to help the pair rebuild after the tragedy.

“The unfortunate and absolutely undeserving victims of an arson attack that took their home and all of their belongings, and more importantly Ethan’s sister and Brooke’s sister in law, Katie Tangey and their loving and one of a kind Golden Retriever child Sunny,” the page read.

A fundraiser has been launched for Brooke & Ethan Tangey, to help rebuild their lives after their home was attacked by arsonists killing Mr Tangey’s sister and his dog, Sunny.

“We cannot begin to imagine the pain and suffering both Brooke and Ethan are facing at this difficult time, and everybody who knows them, understands just how loved and cherished they are by everybody around them.”

So far, the fundraiser has received more than $11,600 in donations — with the aim to put the money towards rebuilding the couple’s lives and “help them honour the memories of their beautiful sister Katie and cherished Golden Sunny”.

“Having to replace a home from scratch is difficult but if we all pull together we can help lighten the load on Brooke and Ethan,” it read.

The couple, centre, were on their honeymoon when the tragic attack happened.

The newlyweds issued a statement following the death of Ms Tangey, asking for privacy while they — along with their wider family — grieve their loss.

“Brooke and Ethan are two of the most incredibly beautiful people who are experiencing incredible loss that nobody should ever have to bear and we encourage everybody to come together to assist and help them honour Katie & Sunny,” the statement read.

“Your generosity will help them to rebuild and gain access to necessities and assist financially in what can only be described as a time of tragedy.”

Following the attack, police released CCTV footage which shows the explosion and towering flames that engulfed Mr Tangey’s home. However, the recorded images of the offenders are mostly obstructed.

One figure approaches the three-storey townhouse while a dark coloured small SUV rolls past.

The person who set the fire gets into the SUV and they leave the scene.

Police say an accelerant was tipped into the house and that Ms Tangey had tried to call triple-0 from inside the home.

The home was destroyed by a fire. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

Investigators – including an arson chemist – deemed the attack random. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

Friends, family and Ms Tangey’s burlesque community has remembered the woman in tributes on social media.

Tangey’s mum Tracey paid tribute to her “beautiful baby girl”.

“I am completely broken and don’t know how we are going to heal from this devastating news. If you could all remember our beautiful soul in your own way,” she wrote in a social media post.

“Rest my baby bub mum loves you more than you will ever know, you are and always will be my best friend and the love of my life. My heart will be forever broken.”

Friend Cherry Charleston posted online that Ms Tangey’s family were “beyond devastated”.

“Please share all your stories and photos of Katie Lee and tag her so the family can know just how much we loved her,” she said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has CCTV or dashcam footage, is urged to contact police.