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

Disturbing new details have emerged in the alleged killing of elite Sydney private school teacher Lilie James as police continue the manhunt for her colleague and ex.

Pilar Grace

2 min read

October 26, 2023 - 2:43PM

Young woman found dead at Sydney Private school after whirlwind romance

Family Life

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St Andrews Cathedral School colleagues Lilie James and Paul Thijssen had been dating for five weeks when James decided to end the relationship.

Just days after the break-up, on Wednesday after midnight, the 21-year-old female water polo coach 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 that James and Thijssen met in the school building on Wednesday night when a fight broke out.

Police have secured CCTV footage from inside the school that reveal the moments before James was allegedly killed.

Emergency services arrived at the school after James’ family alerted police that she hadn’t returned home.

“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 to be confronted by this.”

While Year 12 students have been allowed on campus to write exams, the school has been closed to students and faculty on Thursday and Friday while a crime scene has been established around the area that James was allegedly killed.

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Lilie James was found dead at St Andrews Cathedral School in Sydney on Wednesday night. Photo: Facebook

Police search for Paul Thijssen

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

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

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

Graduating in 2017, Thijssen was an alumni and sport captain at St Andrews. He later became a sport coach and assistant at the school.

Police have established a second crime scene at The Gap as part of their search for Paul Thijssen. Photo: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

St Andrews Cathedral School closed in wake of teacher's killing

“St Andrew’s Cathedral School remains closed today to all students except those sitting Year 12 exams, as the school continues to work with Police following an onsite death overnight,” a spokesperson from the school said.

“No students were involved and there is no ongoing threat.”

“An area of the school, not accessible to students, is a crime zone, and we await the approval of Police before bringing everyone back on site,” the school statement continues.

“The only students onsite are those sitting exams, and we ask that the media does not seek to interrupt their concentration or state of mind as they sit exams that are significant for their graduation.”

“The school has brought our school counsellors onsite for professional support for parents and students as required – and again we ask that the media respects the emotional situation of those seeking support.”