Police chase anonymous tip-off after ‘innocent’ Melbourne woman killed

Detectives are chasing an anonymous tipster in the hope of arresting the men who killed an “innocent” woman in a firebombing.

Police are hoping a nickname or alias given by an anonymous caller will be the key to arresting the men who firebombed the wrong Melbourne house, killing a woman inside.

Katie Tangey, 27, died inside a family member’s house in Truganina in the city’s west in January.

Police believe two men, filmed at the scene, targeted the wrong address but were motivated by Melbourne’s ongoing illicit tobacco wars.

On Thursday, police searched a house in the southeast suburb of Dandenong, did not make any arrests, but seized phones.

“We are absolutely determined to provide what closure and justice we can to the family of Katie Tangey,” arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said.

Katie Tangey died inside her brother’s home in January. Picture: Facebook

Police say a slim man, aged 25 to 30, of Middle Eastern appearance and wearing an orange hoodie, was involved in the attack. Picture: Victoria Police

Police were “getting closer” to solving the case, Inspector Murray said.

“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.

“Investigators know Katie Tangey was completely innocent and had nothing to do with the illicit tobacco trade.”

In April, police set up a booth in the Truganina street where Ms Tangey died in the hope of gathering information from the public. A digital composite of one of the arsonists’ faces was then also released.

Detective Inspector Chris Murray described Katie Tangey as ‘completely innocent’ and the arsonists as ‘low lives’. Picture: NewsWire / Nadir Kinani

“Via anonymous reports to Crime Stoppers, police were provided information, including a particular call where a name has been given of a pseudonym or nickname,” police say in Thursday’s statement.

“Investigators are still urging this particular caller to make further contact and provide additional information.”

Ms Tangey was house sitting her brother’s home on Dover St on January 16 when two men attacked the property in the early hours with a jerry can.

The men were filmed leaving the scene in a dark-coloured BMW X3 or X5.

Ms Tangey called triple-0 from inside the three-storey home. She could not escape and died at the scene. A golden retriever named Sunny also died.

In the hours after the incident, Inspector Murray was adamant Ms Tangey was the victim of a bungled attack, where the men targeted the wrong home.

Appealing for information in April, Inspector Murray called the arsonists “low lives”.

“There are people out there who are talking and who are providing information,” he said at the time.

Originally published as Police chase anonymous tip-off after ‘innocent’ Melbourne woman killed