The arson that claimed the life of Melbourne woman Katie Tangey as she sat on her brother's home also killed his beloved pet.
Golden retriever Sunny was trapped next to Ms Tangey last week when a fire engulfed her brother's home in Truganina, in Melbourne's west.
Mrs. Tangey cared for Sunny and took care of her brother's home while he enjoyed his honeymoon.
Ethan and Brooke Tangey immediately returned to Melbourne after hearing of the tragedy that killed Ms Tagey and the dog and destroyed their home.
A Gofundme appeal has revealed the full extent of the disaster's impact on Ms Tangey's brother and sister-in-law.
“In the early hours of Thursday, January 16, while they were just a few days into their honeymoon, a time that was meant to be filled with happiness and love, an absolute tragedy occurred,” said fundraising organizer Jason Steele.
'The unfortunate and completely undeserving victims of an arson attack that saw their home and all their belongings seized, and more importantly, Ethan's sister and Brooke's sister-in-law, Katie Tangey and their loving and unique Golden Retriever child Sunny. '
Ethan and Brooke Tangey and their beloved dog Sunny, who died along with Mr. Tangey's sister in a senseless arson
Mr Steele described the couple as 'the most beautiful and wholesome people'.
“We are asking all who love them to donate to help them rebuild their lives and help them honor the memories of their beautiful sister Katie and cherished Golden Sunny,” he told well-wishers.
“It's difficult to have to replace a house from scratch, but if we all work together, we can help ease the burden on Brooke and Ethan.”
Mrs Tangey had acted as a bridesmaid at her brother's wedding just weeks before she was burned alive in the alleged arson and posed next to her brother and his new wife.
The fundraiser now hopes that big-hearted locals will help get the Tangey family back on their feet.
“We sincerely ask their family, friends and the wider community to please come together to support them through this difficult time with any donation, small or large,” the fundraiser asks.
“Your generosity will help them rebuild and access the necessities of life, as well as provide financial assistance in what can only be described as a time of tragedy.
Katie Tangey (far right) acted as a bridesmaid at her brother's wedding
“Brooke and Ethan are two of the most incredibly beautiful people who are experiencing an incredible loss that no one should ever have to bear and we encourage everyone to come together to help them honor Katie and Sunny.”
Police believe she was murdered by suspected arsonists who attacked the wrong target, and the perpetrators remain at large.
Mrs Tangey had made a desperate triple-0 call shortly after 2am, telling the operator she was trapped in the burning house in Dover Street and could not escape.
The 27-year-old was a talented burlesque performer, photographer and makeup artist.
In an interview she conducted in 2023, Ms. Tangey spoke about her childhood passion for makeup, which continued for the rest of her life.
“It was just something I wanted to keep learning about and gaining more experience and things like that. Makeup was really my motivation for a lot of the things I do now,” she said.
The fire was so intense that it took crews two hours to extinguish the flames enough to allow a search of the house, when her body was found.
Katie Tangey died in a targeted attack in what is believed to be a case of mistaken identity
There was no way Mrs. Tangey could escape the inferno
All that remained of the Dover Street estate
A separate GoFundMe in support of Ms Tangey's mother has already raised more than $27,000 of what was an initial $8,000 goal.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray of Arson and Explosives Squad told reporters that Mrs Tangey had looked after the house for her brother, who was on his honeymoon.
“What I can say is this: this person is completely innocent and should not have died,” Det Insp Murray told reporters.
On Friday, Ms Tangey's mother Tracey told friends she was a broken woman.
“It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that my beautiful baby daughter passed away at 2am yesterday morning in a targeted house fire,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I am completely broken and don't know how to heal from this devastating news. If you could all remember our beautiful soul in your own way.”
D. addressed the media on Thursdayet Insp Murray said police did not believe the attack was linked to the ongoing tobacco wars, which have led to more than 100 arson incidents across Victoria.
Police believe it may have been a mistake as there appeared to be no motive to target that property.
'We're stuck. The building, the family and the individual lead us nowhere. Therefore, the only logical conclusion I can draw is that they have the wrong premises,” Det Insp Murray said.
Katie Tangey, also known as Vivien May-Royale, was killed in a targeted attack
Katie Tangey, also known as Vivien May-Royale, was reportedly murdered in a case of mistaken identity
CCTV footage from a nearby property shows two alleged trespassers parked a small dark SUV or hatchback outside the house at around 2.03am before jumping the fence.
The pair were seen getting back into the car at around 2.10am and driving away when flames erupted from the home.
“We know that two occupants got out of that vehicle. An accelerant was poured into the house and subsequently engulfed the property,” Det Insp Murray said.
“Whether their intention was to damage this property or simply to incite a scare tactic… now they're staring at a murder, murder charge.
'We are looking for two murderers. Let's be clear about that.
“I know the type of people who do that: they do it for a few hundred dollars, thinking they're going to burn something down. This was only a matter of time.'
A Truganina man told Daily Mail Australia he remembered hearing a loud noise after midnight.
'The roof was completely engulfed. It was brutal.'
“It was quite disturbing, knowing that people might have been there.”
The municipality warned of smoke in the immediate area.
Police have urged anyone with information to come forward by contacting Crime Stoppers.
