The family of a British woman found dead in a Melbourne strip club suspect foul play in her mysterious death.

Stacey Tierney’s body was found at Dreams Gentlemen’s Club in Melbourne’s CBD on December 19, after partying at the club with a group of men the day before.

News Corp reported that the men left the club, and that the 29-year-old’s body was discovered just before noon Monday — some 12 hours after they had left.

Ms Tierney’s cousin Paul Tierney told the Daily Mail from the United Kingdom: “We are devastated and think there was foul play.

And 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.”
Paul Tierney to the Daily Mail

Mr Tierney indicated that Ms Tierney’s family had no idea that the fitness instructor had been working in a men’s club and were adamant that drugs were not part of her lifestyle.

“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?” he said.

Meanwhile, the club has spoken about her death.

“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.

Stacey Tierney at a Melbourne apartment complex in early 2016. Photo: Facebook.

The club said it would not comment further until the police investigation into the 29-year-old’s death has concluded.

“We will continue to co-operate with and assist Victoria Police with their ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Stacey’s death,” they said.

The circumstances surrounding the Englishwoman’s death are yet to be determined, and Victoria Police say the coroner will investigate the cause.

Police revealed on Tuesday they were investigating her death, and the club has increasingly come under fire from exotic dancers who knew Ms Tierney.

The club was open for Sexy Poker Tuesdays the day after Ms Tierney’s body was found.

Ms Tierney’s supporters have criticised the club’s actions in the wake of her death, and say the club has been deleting people’s comments from its Facebook page.

“What happened to Stacey Tierney?” one woman wrote on Wednesday.

“You probably should close down the venue for a week or so out of respect.”

A fitness instructor from Manchester, Ms Tierney had reportedly been travelling in Australia for three years and worked in several venues across the country before her death.