Lilie James murder: St Andrews principal says Paul Thijssen’s actions ‘incongruent with who we knew’

Emotional scenes as students return to Sydney private school where water polo coach Lilie James was found dead; principal tells them: ‘I want you to hear the truth about what happened from me.’

Water polo coach Lilie James.

Tributes have continued to flow as students returned to the Sydney school where the body of Lilie James was found inside a bathroom last week, with St Andrew’s College head of school saying the killer’s actions were “completely incongruent with who we knew”.

There were scenes of grief at the school as hundreds of students arrived to attend a mass at St Andrew’s Cathedral, with staff, parents and other members of the community.

Ms James’ grandmother paid tribute on Monday to the “kind” and “very loyal” 21-year-old, as a sea of flowers formed at the entrance of the school and continued to grow throughout the day, with students gathering around hugging each other.

The body of Ms James’ colleague and former short-term boyfriend Paul Thijssen, 24, was found at notorious suicide spot The Gap in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on Friday.

Water polo coach Lilie James, who was killed at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. Picture: Facebook

Speaking to senior school students on Monday, Head of School Julie McGonigle thanked students for the “love, support and kindness” they and their parents had shown since Ms James’s body was found midnight on Wednesday.

“Firstly, let me say thank you, because the love, support and kindness that you and your parents have shown to our staff body and to each other over the last four days have been extraordinary.

“The tight-knit, deeply loving and faith-filled nature of our community is what will get us through this, and you have demonstrated that in its fullness over these last days,” Dr McGonigle said she told students in an email to parents.

Paul Thijssen, Sports Assistant at St. Andrew's Cathedral School.

“I also want to say that some of what I share in this briefing will be difficult to hear. However, I want to treat you with the utmost respect, you are not children, you are young adults and I want you to hear the truth about what happened from me…

“And now we are left with grief, shock, and utter confusion – because both parties were known to our school. Our beautiful Ms James, a ray of light and Mr Thijssen, who’s (sic) actions are completely incongruent with who we knew.

Mourners at St Andrew’s Cathedral School on Monday. Picture: Rohan Kelly

”You are not alone in this. We are a strong and courageous community. Together, each day, we can face our fears and take a step forward. Together we can rise up with courage and strength, for the Lord our God will be with us wherever we go.”

In an emotional tribute on Monday morning Ms James’ grandmother told Nine Radio her family couldn’t comprehend her murder.

“We just cannot understand why this would happen to her,” Barbara Adelt said.

“I‘ve been remembering the day she was born, bright as a button since she came out, and never stopped since then.

“She was so kind to everybody else,” she said.

“The most loyal person, very loyal. She‘s her mum’s daughter.

“Some people come into this world, they are so special, and they don‘t stay long, and I think that’s my granddaughter.”

“Just a beautiful, beautiful young woman. So full of life. Never stopped. She went to uni, worked four-and-a-half days a week, she coached swimming, she coached water polo, she played water polo.”

Ms Adelt said the community support for the family had been “just incredible”.