What we know about Lilie James’ killer Paul Thijssen

Killer Paul Thijssen left no clues as to why he bludgeoned the talented water polo coach Lilie James to death. Here’s an insight into the killer’s history of stalking and web of lies.

The twisted killer of Lilie James left no clues as to why he brutally murdered the talented water polo coach.

The “beautiful” 21-year-old was gruesomely beaten to death with a hammer by her colleague Paul Thijssen in a bathroom at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney’s CBD just after 7pm on October 25, 2023.

The inquest into both deaths began on Tuesday, with counsel assisting the NSW coroner, Jennifer Single SC, saying the murder of Ms James was “calculated”.

Thijssen was raised in the Netherlands and had initially come to Australia with his parents between 2015 and 2017.

He then became sports captain and prefect at St Andrew’s.

A photo of Paul Thijssen just moments before he murdered Lilie James. Picture: Supplied

Thijssen returned to Australia several times after that, each time on a working holiday visa.

The court heard this week that Thijssen embellished his role at St Andrews on the school’s letterhead and sent forged pay slips to the Department of Home Affairs to fit the requirements for a working visa, the court heard.

He also had a history of lying to family and friends about his reason for being in Australia, telling them he was there to study a masters in teaching.

His parents gave him money towards his tuition. However, Ms Single said he was never enrolled in a master’s course, nor touched their money.

Another lie — which James confronted him about two days before Ms James’ death — involved Thijssen setting up a fake Snapchat account in another woman’s name.

Lilie James was murdered at the private school.

Paul Thijssen’s body was found in water off Vaucluse.

Ms James had ended their two-month relationship just days before her murder.

She met him while working as a water polo coach at St Andrew’s, while he was employed as a sports coach.

“Paul stalked Lilie, Paul carefully planned his attack, and … in the hours before the attack, he rehearsed the attack, making a number of dry runs,” Ms Single SC, told the inquest.

Chilling videos played to the court showed how Thijssen prepared how he would kill Ms James on at least three occasions prior to her brutal murder.

In the footage, Thijssen was seen pushing doors of bathrooms to test how he could quickly ambush her.

“After practising entering both bathrooms, Paul had at this stage decided to attack Lilie in bathroom one,” Ms Single said.

“Paul placed the cleaning in progress sign outside of bathroom three to ensure Lilie did not use that bathroom and to force her into the larger disabled bathroom — where the attack in fact occurred.”

A screen grab from CCTV of Paul Thijssen shows the killer “rehearsing” the murder.

The inquest was told how Thijssen also stalked another ex-girlfriend, only identified as Freya, in 2021.

The relationship ended after Freya’s parents grew concerned about his habit of checking up on the 18-year-old and becoming annoyed if she did not answer straight away.

The court heard he stalked Freya on Snapchat just as he did to Ms James.

During the inquest, forensic experts tried to determine Thijssen’s motive for murder.

They said he had no history of mental health issues and that he did not meet the criteria for a narcissistic disorder, even though he may have some similar traits.

Thijssen also had no previous history — according to experts — of violence or stalking.

The court heard that the Thijssen’s family said it had evidence their son’s life had “become derailed” before his death but that information has not been provided to the coroner.

Family violence experts also detailed the stark warning signs that were evident before Ms James was brutally murdered, including her killer’s sinister stalking tactics and other forms of coercive control.

Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, who is an international research leader in the area of domestic and family violence, and Anna Butler, manager of the Domestic Violence Death Review, told the court on Thursday that Thijssen had “patterns” of stalking behaviour.

In a heartbreaking speech delivered to the court by Lilie’s mum, Peta, she said the world had lost a “loyal”, “independent” and “intelligent” young woman.

“Lilie sweet pea, I am so sorry that we couldn’t protect you from what happened that night, the guilt will stay with us forever,” Ms James told the court on Thursday as she held back her tears.

Originally published as What we know about Lilie James’ killer Paul Thijssen