Body pulled from water in ‘evil’ and ‘horrific’ murder of Lilie James confirmed as alleged murderer

A body dragged out of the ocean as part of an investigation into the murder of Sydney school water polo coach Lilie James has been formally identified.

Police search around The Gap, Vaucluse – the last known location of Paul Thijssen. A body was found on Friday around the rocks. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

A body pulled from the water off Vaucluse has been formally identified as the colleague and ex-boyfriend of 21 year-old Sydney schoolteacher Lilie James, who was linked to her shocking murder.

The naked, bloated body was dragged out of the ocean on Friday afternoon as part of an extensive investigation into the murder of Sydney school water polo coach Ms James, as her “heartbroken” family mourned the loss of a ­beloved sister and daughter.

Police have now confirmed the body, found just after 8am and retrieved around noon, is that of Ms James’ colleague and former boyfriend Paul Thijssen, who was wanted for questioning over her death.

NSW Police said inquiries were continuing and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Ms James, 21, was found dead with “horrific injuries” on Wednesday night at St Andrew’s ­Cathedral School in the city’s CBD.

Mr Thijssen, a fellow school coach who up until recently had been dating Ms James, was allegedly with her that night, and had called police after leaving her to tell them to check the school for a body.

Soon after finding Ms James, police set up a second crime scene at The Gap in Sydney’s east on Thursday morning, where they had found some of Mr Thijssen’s belongings.

Early on Friday, a tradesmen working at a construction site along the cliffs spotted a body on the rocks and called emergency services. Police retrieved the waterlogged body several hours later from the rocks below the ­notorious suicide spot.

Lilie James, 21, who was found murdered in a Sydney school bathroom. Picture: Supplied

Ms James’ family spoke of its deep “heartbreak” at the loss of a beloved daughter and sister, and requested privacy to mourn.

“We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful Lilie James,” the family said in a statement. “She was vibrant, outgoing and very much loved by her friends and family.

“We are tremendously grateful for the support of the community at this difficult time.”

St Andrew’s principal Julie McGonigle promised parents on Friday that the “horrors of evil” would not define the school, and said counselling had been provided to staff.

“There are no words for what has occurred – it is like entering a foreign land which possesses no words,” Dr McGonigle wrote.

Paul Thijssen was a keen hockey player and was a sports assistant at the school.

“The horrors of evil do not and will not define us. We will have to all strongly commit to that truth every day, and sometimes every moment of the day, to make it a reality.”

Dr McGonigle remembered Ms James as a young woman full of “compassion”.

Paul Thijssen pictured in 2017. Picture: Facebook

“Lilie’s engagement across the student body was wide ranging and, as you will know from your children, she was adored by all,” she said.

“In all of my dealings with Lilie, she was full of vitality, energy, ­enthusiasm and a natural fit in our community.”

Mr Thijssen, a hockey player who also studied at the school ­before joining its sports department, is a Dutch national who was in Australia on a working holiday visa understood to be set for expiry at the end of this year.

On Facebook in December 2021, he posted that he “emailed the department every day I ­applied” and received his second one-year visa. Foreigners can apply for a third and final one-year working holiday visa from the Home Affairs Department, meaning Mr Thijssen’s visa, unless sponsored by St Andrew’s, was likely to expire at the end of the year.

Pupils leave flowers at St Andrew's Cathedral School after the murder of Ms James. Picture: Justin Lloyd.