Body found in search for Lilie James' suspected killer

Police rushed to The Gap in Vaucluse on Friday morning after a man's body was found in the waters at the base of the cliff.

Police have found a body in the water at the foot of the cliffs of Vaucluse as they search for the whereabouts of a suspect in the horrific killing of a young woman at a prestigious Sydney school.

The Daily Telegraph reports the body was found just after 8am on Friday morning, and police and emergency crews are planning the retrieval operation.

The Westpac rescue helicopter has arrived at the scene to assist.

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Police were searching for Paul Thijssen, the man suspected of killing 21-year-old water polo coach Lilie James in the gym bathroom at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney’s CBD.

The Daily Telegraph reports police rushed to the edge of the cliffs in Vaucluse under lights and sirens to declare a new crime scene where the body was found.

Officers could be seen speaking to construction workers nearby, and rescue jet skis searched the waters around the base of the cliffs.

RELATED: Young sports coach murdered at prestigious Sydney school

A rescue jet ski searches the waters at Vaucluse on Friday morning. Picture: The Daily Telegraph

Police secure CCTV footage leading up to murder

St Andrew's Cathedral School colleagues Miss James and Thijssen had been dating for five weeks when Miss James decided to end the relationship.

Just days after the break-up, on Wednesday after midnight, the 21-year-old was discovered dead in a bathroom near a gym on the school’s CBD campus.

Police are on the hunt for 24-year-old Thijssen.

According to The Daily Telegraph, it’s believed Miss James and Thijssen met in the school building on Wednesday night when a fight broke out.

Police secured CCTV footage from the school which shows Thijssen following Miss James into the bathroom about 7pm, and leaving by himself about 8pm. 

RELATED: ‘Lilie broke up with her boyfriend just a few days before she was found dead’

Police interviewing construction workers near where the body was found. Picture: The Daily Telegraph

"It's a very sad time for everybody"

Police reportedly believe Miss James was killed with a hammer, and they described her body as “unrecognisable” when she was discovered just before midnight on Wednesday.

“As you can probably imagine, it’s an extremely daunting experience, a very sad time for everybody,” Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said in a statement on Thursday.

“Not only the families, the students also who are turning up today (Thursday) to be confronted by this.”

Superintendent Fileman revealed "an item linked to the homicide" had been found in the Vaucluse area at The Gap, where a second crime scene was established as police searched for Thijssen. 

RELATED: ‘Lilie we love you so much… it will be so hard to move on’

Lilie James, 21, is a water polo coach and the teacher killed at St Andrews. Picture: Facebook

St Andrew’s Cathedral School 2017 yearbook photo of Paul Thijssen. Picture: Supplied

Tributes flow for young victim

It’s understood police are investigating whether Thijssen had committed suicide after disappearing in the area.

According to police there was no history of domestic violence between Miss James and Thijssen.

Tributes have been flowing for Miss James, who has been remembered by her loved ones as a “the nicest and kindest person”.

St Andrew’s Cathedral School remains closed as police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Miss James’ tragic death.

Originally published as Body found in search for Lilie James' suspected killer