Home Australia Katie Tangey, otherwise known as Vivien May-Royale, burned alive in Truganina, Melbourne horror

Katie Tangey, otherwise known as Vivien May-Royale, burned alive in Truganina, Melbourne horror

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Katie Tangey, also known as Vivien May-Royale, died in a targeted attack

A nanny who was burned alive by arsonists who attacked the wrong target has been identified as a popular burlesque performer.

Katie Tangey, also known as Vivien May-Royale, has been named as the 27-year-old who died in a house fire in Truganina, in Melbourne’s west, on Thursday.

Mrs Tangey had made a frantic triple 0 call shortly after 2am, telling the operator she was trapped in the burning house on Dover Street and could not escape.

Police later confirmed that he had been the victim of mistaken identity.

‘Friends. “The glorious Vivien May-Royale, also known as Katie, was the 27-year-old who died in a house fire in Truganina yesterday,” stated an online tribute posted by her good friend Cherry Charleston.

‘Her mother asked me to share her with the burlesque world so we can celebrate her brilliance. I adored her. Phoenix Burlesque adored her. And we loved his relationship with his beautiful and fierce mother, Tracey Tangey.

‘Katie’s family are beyond devastated. Please share all your stories and photos of Katie Lee and tag her so the family knows how much we love her.”

Ms Tangey had been in a relationship with Melbourne ice hockey player Mathew Zammit.

Katie Tangey, also known as Vivien May-Royale, died in a targeted attack

Mrs Tangey is believed to have died inside the house along with the family dog.

Such was the intensity of the fire that crews were unable to extinguish the flames until two hours later, when a search of the property was carried out and his body was found.

Detective Inspector Chris Murray of the arson and explosives squad told reporters on Thursday that Mrs Tangey had been house-sitting for her brother, who was on his honeymoon.

“What I can say is this: This individual is completely innocent and should not have died,” Detective Murray told reporters.

‘We have no background information on this individual or the family. In fact, she’s the kind of girl who doesn’t leave the house much, and it was probably the first time she was really out and alone, taking care of her brother’s house.

“He is on his honeymoon and she has been subjected to the most heinous and despicable act one can imagine.”

Inspector Murray said police did not believe the attack was related to the ongoing tobacco wars, which have led to more than 100 arson incidents across Victoria.

However, the random nature of the attack led police to believe it may have been a mistake.

Mathew Zammit and Katie Tangey

Mathew Zammit and Katie Tangey

Dover Street property destroyed in senseless arson attack

Dover Street property destroyed in senseless arson attack

All that remained of the Dover Street property.

All that remained of the Dover Street property.

‘We are stuck. The premises, the family and the individual take us nowhere. Therefore, the only logical conclusion I can draw is that they have the wrong premises,” Inspector Murray said.

“There seems to be a fascination with the use of fire to solve crimes, solve problems and solve acts of revenge. These are the consequences we are seeing and they are serious consequences. This girl didn’t deserve to lose her life.’

CCTV footage from a nearby property showed two suspected offenders parking a small dark-coloured SUV or hatchback outside the house at around 2.03am before jumping the fence.

The couple were seen getting back into the car and speeding away at around 2.10am when flames erupted from the house.

‘We know that two occupants exited that vehicle. “Some accelerant was poured into the house and subsequently flooded the premises,” Inspector Murray said.

‘Whether they intended to damage these facilities or simply cause a scare tactic… they now face a charge of manslaughter, of murder.

‘We are looking for two murderers. Let’s be clear about this.

‘I know the type of people who do that, they do it for about 100 dollars thinking they’re going to burn something. This was just a matter of time.’

Katie Tangey, also known as Vivien May-Royale, was allegedly murdered in a case of mistaken identity.

Katie Tangey, also known as Vivien May-Royale, was allegedly murdered in a case of mistaken identity.

Katie Tangey and her partner Mathew Zammit

Katie Tangey and her partner Mathew Zammit

Victoria Fire Brigade commander Callum Donoghue said the fire likely started on the ground floor and escalated to “extreme” temperatures exceeding 200C.

“The interior of the home was completely destroyed,” Commander Donoghue said.

‘Access was very difficult for our firefighters, so an external attack was organized.

“Firefighters are currently assisting the fire crew with photographs to determine the full cause of the fire.

“A loud bang was heard around 2:15 a.m. and within minutes the entire house was on fire,” he said.

A Truganina man told Daily Mail Australia he remembered hearing a loud noise after midnight.

‘The roof was completely submerged. “It was fierce.”

“It was quite nerve-wracking knowing there could be people there.”

A community smoke warning has been issued for the immediate area.

Police have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.

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