Tributes to an “exceptional woman” murdered by ex-lover in school toilet
Devastated friends have said Lilie James, 21, was a talented dancer, actor, swimmer but above all, she was an “exceptional woman”.
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A water polo coach killed by her ex-boyfriend was an all-round student who excelled at anything she put her mind to.
Devastated friends said Lilie James, 21, was a talented dancer, actor, swimmer but above all, she was an “exceptional woman”.
Ms James was in her second year of studying sports business at the University of Technology, and coaching sport part-time at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
She graduated from Danebank Anglican School in 2020 where former classmates said she excelled in anything to turned her hand to.
“There was nothing you couldn’t do, beautiful girl. Fly high Lil, we will miss you forever,” one friend posted on social media.
The school’s website still features a video of Ms James performing a monologue of Shakespeare’s Macbeth as part of her HSC drama major work.
“I wanted to do a physical theatre piece due to my dance background...I love creating pieces through physicality,” she wrote at the time.
“I feel that Lady Macbeth reflects my dramatic side as well.”
Current students at St Andrew’s who were coached in water polo by Ms James, as well as others who just knew of her in the sport department, remembered her as “popular and kind”.
“This is devastating. Rest in peace Lilie, you were such a beautiful person in and out,” Tara Youssef wrote.
“Rest in peace Lilie, thank you for being so incredibly kind,” Georgia Lily wrote.
“Lilie was the most kind, caring, funny and supportive friend there is,” another friend said.
“I could never think that we would lose our friend in these circumstances. Our world is so cruel. Thank you for the memories and the good times Lilie.”
Ms James, the eldest of two children, grew up in Kogarah Bay.
Photos on Facebook show her in happier times with her father Jamie, mother Peta and brother Max.
At the family home on Wednesday, friends were seen arriving and hugging her distraught parents and younger brother, while devastated neighbours gathered in the street.
Over the years, her mother Peta proudly posted photos of Ms James’ achievements to her social media accounts.
“Well done Lilie under 17 swimming age champion,” her mother wrote in 2019.
Another post said: “Well done Lilie on your second place in today’s eisteddfod”.
“Lilie passed her L test... let the fun begin,” Mrs James wrote beneath a photo of her daughter with her learner’s licence.
On photos of Ms James at her Year 12 school formal, friends and relatives congratulated the “happy young woman”.
“You look so happy Lil. Love you my beautiful granddaughter,” grandmother Barbara Adelt said.
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