‘Lilie we love you so much… it will be so hard to move on’
The devastated students at St Andrews Cathedral School in Sydney have paid tribute to their allegedly murdered coach, Lilie James, who was found dead at the school on Wednesday night.
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Heartbroken students at St Andrews Cathedral School in Sydney have paid tribute to their allegedly murdered coach, Lilie James.
“Lilie we love you so much whatever happened to you, you didn’t deserve it,” one student told 7News.
“I hope that you find a spot in heaven and thank you for being such a nice coach and friend,” another said. “You will be in all of our prayers and hearts. Thank you for making PE so much fun, thank you for being an amazing and strong coach and thank you for being there. We love you.”
“She always put others first,” said a third student. “She would always have something nice or funny to say. She was always encouraging everyone at sport to have a go or try something new.”
The body of the 21-year-old water polo coach was found just after midnight on Wednesday in a bathroom on the school’s CBD campus. Police described a "confronting" scene as they discovered the allegedly murdered young woman with “serious head injuries”.
According to The Daily Telegraph, it’s believed that James and met her ex-boyfriend and colleague, Paul Thijssen, in the school building when a fight broke out.
Police secured CCTV footage showing Thijssen following James into the gym bathroom and then leaving one hour later.
After another four hours had passed, Thijssen reportedly called police and told them there was a body on the school grounds.
It’s understood that James and Thijssen dated for five weeks before James broke it off, just a few days before her tragic death.
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Second crime scene established in Lilie James death
Police are hunting for 24-year-old Thijssen and have established a second crime scene near at Diamond Bay Reserve in Vaucluse after “property associated with the homicide” was found.
The items include a pair of Apple AirPod earbuds and a hammer.
Thijssen moved to Australia from the Netherlands in 2015 and studied at St Andrews until he graduated in 2017. He went on to work as a cricket and hockey coach at the school where he worked with James.
According to Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman, police are investigating whether Thijssen killed himself in the Vaucluse area.
According to police there is no history of domestic violence between James and Thijssen.
Who was Lilie James?
Lilie James grew up in south Sydney and was the eldest daughter of Peta and Jamie, and older sister to Max.
Before working as a water polo coach at St Andrews Cathedral School, James attended University Technology Sydney after graduating from Danebank Anglican School for Girls in 2020.
The 21-year-old was an avid sportswoman and thespian. Peta proudly shared Facebook posts and photos celebrating her eldest child's achievements in the pool and on the stage.
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.”
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Prestigious Sydney school scene of horrific murder
St Andrew’s Cathedral is a private day school for children from Kindergarten to Year 12.
The Anglican school charges tuition fees up to $36,770 a year.
More than 1400 students attend the school, which was founded in 1885 as a choir school for nearby St Andrew’s Cathedral.
It is ranked 157th in NSW in the 2022 HSC, with 660 exams sat by year 12 students and 72 distinguished achievements awarded.
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Originally published as ‘Lilie we love you so much… it will be so hard to move on’
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