A Jealous, Disturbed Woman Set Her Afire

Jealousy and obsession can distort the mind, fueling irrational thoughts that lead to life-altering consequences, especially when matters of the heart are at play. Dana Vulin knows this lesson well. Over a decade ago, a disturbed woman wrongly assumed she was sexually involved with her estranged husband. That woman began stalking Vulin for weeks. She ultimately broke into Vulin's home and set the woman afire. Vulin sustained burns to over 60 percent of her body and will require medical treatment for the rest of her life.

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Dana Vulin from Perth was young, beautiful, and successful, qualities Valerie Dimitrovoska lacked. When Edin Handovich, Valerie’s husband, left their relationship, he lived life like any other single man, often mingling at parties and in social situations. Seeing her estranged husband happy without her caused Valerie intense rage, especially after witnessing him speaking with Dana at a casino one evening in late 2011.

A Disturbed Woman and an Incorrect Accusation

Valerie wrongly convinced herself that Dana was sleeping with Edin, likely the reason he left her. Valerie wanted Dana to pay for ruining her life. Ruining her “pretty face” was also high atop Valerie’s priority list.

The stalking soon began. Weeks and weeks of relentless stalking, whether Valerie showed up in front of Dana’s Perth home or harrassed her via the phone.

Unsatisfied that she could not get under Dana’s skin, Valerie decided to escalate the situation.

About one in three women and one in six men will experience an episode of stalking at some time in their lives. Stalking often escalates into other crimes, particularly aggressive and violent behaviors. According to Safer Futures, 1 in 10 stalkers who make threats will act on them.

Valerie Laughed as She Set Dana Afire

Early on the morning of February 16, 2012, Dana and a male accomplice broke into Dana’s home. Dana tossed methyl, a flammable liquid, on Dana and lit her body afire. She and the male accomplice laughed as Dana’s body went up in flames.

Valerie and her accomplice fled the apartment.

At the hospital, Dana spent 10 days in a coma. When she awoke, she realized the horror that was now her face, her body, her life. Dana knew she was in a fight for her life. Third-degree burns covered 64% of her body. Doctors did not expect her to survive. Dana had far too much to live for to die, and too much spite to allow Valerie to ruin her life.

Surviving Against All Odds

The next two years were difficult as Dana lost her identity and became known as the “girl behind the mask.” The burns and severe injuries forced Dana to wear a compression bandage to cover her scorched face. Two and one half years later, the bandage came off.

She endured over 200 surgeries and skin grafts, all the while fighting away physical and mental pain though still determined to make her dreams come true. Dana earned a Master’s degree in Nursing and opened her own clinic offering injectables and cosmetic options to burn survivors and others.

But, Vulin has accomplished so much more while recovering from third-degree burns. She works as a Keynote Speaker, providing motivational words of hope and encouragement to groups of people. She also authored a book about her experience titled, Worth Fighting For, a highly recommended read.

Dana Vulin Sends a Message to Her Attacker

Vulin says she’s forgiven her attacker, but still has a message for her.

“It’s a big fuck you to the person who burnt me,” Dana told a reporter during an exclusive interview with 7Life. “She tried to eradicate my appearance and now all she has done is immortalize me. I physically can’t age, I will never wrinkle, I will never get jowls, batwings… nothing. As time progresses, I’m looking younger and tighter, younger and tighter.”

Vulin did not stop living life or accomplishing her dreams. Dimitrovoska did not have the kind of power needed to mentally destroy a woman as courageous and powerful as Vulin. Over the years, Vulin has learned to love herself again, to accept herself and her body. She’s proud of her scars, proud of her body, and proud of the woman she has become since Dimistrovoska tried to take it all away from her.

Vulin actively speaks out to groups of women and uses Instagram and other social media outlets to reach other burn survivors and victims of crimes to let them know they are not alone.

Dimitrovoska Sentenced to Prison

As far as Valerie Dimtrovoska is concerned, police caught up with her after the incident as she attempted to board a plane to Macedonia where her family lived.

After her arrest, Dimitrovoska immediately professed her innocence, claiming she didn't know what happened to Dana, although she did ‘feel bad’ that she suffered.

In October 2013, Dimitrovoska was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to Vulin and sentenced to 17 years in prison. She will be eligible for parole in 2027.