Family of woman found dead in Melbourne strip club didn't know of her secret life, blame 'foul play'
The heartbroken family of a British strip club worker who was found dead in a Melbourne gentlemen's club have revealed they had no idea about her secret life as a stripper and have suggested “foul play” contributed to her death.
Stacey Tierney's body was found slumped over at Dreams Gentlemen's Club in Melbourne's CBD on December 19 and is believed to have been there for 12 hours before it was discovered.
“Whoever is responsible is a coward and a low life for leaving her dying or dead and failing to get any help. It is shocking behaviour and very distressing,” her cousin Paul Tierney said.
“Since she lost her life rumours have surfaced of her being a stripper but we know absolutely nothing about this."
Describing herself as a free spirit, Stacey Tierney left England in 2013 to live in Australia. Source: Instagram
After travelling and working at multiple strip clubs in Darwin and the NT, Ms Tierney moved to Melbourne half way through 2016. Source: Instagram
Her body was reportedly found slumped over at Dreams Gentlemen's club in Melbourne's CBD on December 19. Source: AAP
Ms Tierney’s uncle, Graham Tierney, said that he was under the impression the she had just been enjoying Australia’s hot weather since she left rainy Manchester in 2013.
“As far as we knew, she was just travelling around Australia and enjoying it. I saw all her photos on Facebook and it looked like she was having a good time,” Graham Tierney added.
“She wasn't the type of girl to get involved with drugs as far as I know but we just do not know what has happened. Maybe her drink was spiked or something like that, who knows?”
Stacey Tierney had lived in Australia for three years before she was found dead in the Melbourne strip club. Source: Instagram
Police are now investigating what caused Ms Tierney's untimely death. Source: Instagram
Meanwhile, the strip club this week broke their silence following growing criticism from social media users who slammed them for censoring comments regarding Ms Tierney's death and opening up for "Sexy Poker Tuesdays" the following day.
"The owners, staff and management of Dreams Gentlemen's Club extend their sincere sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of Stacey Tierney, who recently passed away," management said in a statement on Wednesday.
"We will continue to co-operate with and assist Victoria Police with their ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Stacey's death," they said.
But this response was not enough for some people.
"What happened to Stacey Tierney?" one woman wrote on the club's Facebook page on Wednesday.
"You probably should close down the venue for a week or so out of respect."
Ms Tierney's family said they had no clue that she was working at strip clubs. Source: Instagram
The club said it would not make any further comment until the police investigation into the 29-year-old's death has concluded.
The circumstances surrounding the Englishwoman's death are yet to be determined and Victoria Police say the coroner will investigate the cause.
Police revealed they were investigating her death on Tuesday, and the club has increasingly come under fire from exotic dancers who knew Ms Tierney.
After dancing in multiple clubs in the Northern Territory and Queensland, Ms Tierney moved to Melbourne roughly six-months ago where the fun loving Briton’s life was brought to a tragic end just one week before Christmas.
Fellow exotic dancers said Ms Tierney would work private events to help fund her travels. Source: Instagram
The sister of the club's owner has since suggested drugs may have played a role in Ms Tierney's death.
“I know strip clubs and I know the type of girls who work there,” Antoinette Aparo, 51, told the Daily Mail.
“They go get high on ... whatever drug ... then they go to work, do their dancing and go home - how do we know this girl didn't just overdose?”
