Family of Lilie James reveal heartbreak after her murder; Police find body near The Gap
The family of the 21-year-old water polo coach have broken their silence after her horrific killing at an elite school; Police searching for the killer retrieve a body floating in the water near The Gap.
The “heartbroken” family of 21-year-old water polo coach Lilie James, murdered in the Sydney school where she worked, have broken their silence after their daughter was found dead with “horrific injuries” on Wednesday night.
“We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful Lilie James,” the family said in a statement, which also requested privacy as developments continued.
“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.”
Ms James was found dead in a gym bathroom at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, in the Sydney CBD, where she worked as a water polo coach.
“As a police investigation is underway, we will not be providing further comments – we ask that you please respect our privacy,” the family said.
Ms James’s ex-boyfriend Paul Thijssen, who also worked at the school as a sports coach, is wanted in connection with her death, but remains missing.
However, at The Gap in Vaucluse, his last-known location, NSW Police on Friday retrieved a body from the water.
Body found in Sydney waters
Police searching for the killer of Ms James were alerted on Friday morning to what was believed to be a body in the water. The body was retrieved just after midday, following an operation involving a rescue helicopter.
Construction workers raised the alarm just after 8am.
The crime scene is near the location from where Thijssen called police on Wednesday night and told them to check the school for a body.
Thijssen is suspected of killing Ms James after being seen on CCTV following her into the school’s gym bathroom.
Ms James’ body was discovered just before midnight on Wednesday. A Westpac rescue was called to help retrieve the body.
Facebook posts made by Mr Thijssen in December 2021 also reveal the Dutch national was only in Australia on a working holiday visa.
The hockey coach posted that he “emailed the department every day I applied” and received his second one-year visa in December 2021.
Foreign nationals are able to 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 Cathedral School – was likely to expire at the end of this year.
The Home Affairs Department have been contacted.
Principal sends note to parents about ‘horrors of evil’
St Andrew’s Cathedral School principal Julie McGonigle says it is her “oath” that the “horrors of evil” will not define the school community following the murder of water polo coach Lilie James.
Ms McGonigle sent a note to parents on Friday morning saying teachers had returned to school, and arrangements would be made shortly for students to return as well.
“This is just a short note to let you know that we have all staff in today for a number of engagements and I will update you this afternoon with further information and arrangements for Monday,” she said.
Dr McGonigle said more updates would come later in the day, and that she would be making sure any further communications will be aligned with “what is respectful” to families and accounting for the progress of the NSW Police.
“Please note that we are deeply concerned for the families directly involved in this incident and I am personally committed to aligning our communications with what is respectful to them and in lock step with the NSW Police. I will not move at a pace that ignores those priorities,” she said.
“Thank you sincerely for the love and support you are generously giving at this time – as I will share with staff today – the horrors of evil, do not and will not define our community, that is my oath. Thank you for partnering with me in that commitment.”
Shocking crime scene
Police were not prepared for what they found in the bathroom of the elite private Sydney school when they went looking for Ms James.
The 21-year-old never arrived home on Wednesday from her part-time job as a water polo coach at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, which she did to support herself while she completed her university studies.
According to The Daily Telegraph, it was Paul Thijssen – a fellow school coach who until recently had been dating Ms James for a few weeks – who hours later called police and told them to check the school for a body.
Officers on Thursday said it was clear from the first moment that it was a homicide, after finding a young woman with serious head trauma, reportedly beaten with a hammer.
The scene was “quite confronting” for police who turned up, one hardened senior detective said.
NSW police have been searching for Mr Thijssen, wanted for questioning in relation to a crime that has horrified Sydney.
Soon after Mr Thijssen’s call, police came across the other half of the crime scene at Vaucluse, 10km from the school.
They found an item linked to the homicide, as well as some belongings and a silver Lexus.
Police searched the immediate coastline by land and sea for the 24-year-old Netherlands-born man. But, as of Thursday evening, they failed to find any sign of him.
They did confirm they aren’t looking for anyone else at this stage.
Police reportedly obtained CCTV footage from inside the school that showed the moments leading up to the violent attack. They also received a call from Mr Thijssen himself alerting them that there was a body at the school, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Short-lived relationship
The pair started dating just over a month ago, before Ms James called off the relationship. They were friends on Facebook but don’t appear to ever have been pictured together online. Police said there was no indication of a history of domestic violence.
Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said students would be confronted by the reality of what had occurred when they showed up to school on Thursday and asked the media to be gentle in their approach.
But, with the school shut for most students except those doing their HSC exams, dozens of teenagers shared links from news websites on their social media stories about a beloved “coach murdered” at their humble school.
“(That’s) at my school … so scary,” one St Andrew’s Cathedral School student wrote.
“Best coach ever, god bless,” another said.
“Miss James, gone too soon. A beautiful soul,” another said.
One student shared multiple pictures of Ms James on the edge of the pool at water polo practice at a Cumberland Council aquatic centre, next to the words “Always in our hearts”.
Ms James’ life was just beginning.
Her mother’s Facebook page depicted Ms James’ playful nature, such as her dancing around the house on the day before Christmas one year. “Lilie has way too much time on her hands,” mum Peta said.
Pictures also show a young Ms James and brother Max laying on the ground with their father.
The 21-year-old graduated from Danebank, an Anglican school in Hurstville, in 2020.
A Lady Macbeth monologue she performed for her HSC remains on the school’s website. “I feel that Lady Macbeth reflects my dramatic side,” she wrote.
Ms James was a passionate swimmer, water polo player and coach. Dad Jamie briefly coached her school team even though he didn’t know the rules, Peta joked.
When she started her studies at University of Technology Sydney in 2021, she joined the UTS Balmain Tigers Water Polo Club.
Community devastated
Water Polo NSW CEO Alex Godbold said the small sporting community was “shocked and saddened to learn of the death of (a) valued Water Polo NSW and Balmain club member”.
“Our thoughts right now are with her family and friends.”
He said Water Polo NSW and Water Polo Australia would support her club mates and friends, and those she coached “while we come to terms with this tragic news”. “Our focus is on our small community and ensuring we are supporting each other while the police continue their investigation,” Mr Godbold said.
Tributes from Ms James’ former school mates at Danebank College and university, and sporting colleagues, repeated a similar message, describing what a “beautiful” and “incredibly kind” person she was. Students and staff left bunches of flowers in a pile near the school as a tribute.
Mr Fileman could describe how the family was doing in only a few words: “As you can imagine, it’s a very sad time for everybody.”
Murder suspect a former student at St Andrew’s
Little is known about Mr Thijssen.
According to his LinkedIn page, Mr Thijssen finished his schooling at St Andrew’s in 2017, where he was a sports captain. He studied at Utrecht University in The Netherlands between 2018 and 2021, where he received a degree in business and business economics.
While working as a sports assistant at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, he also coached hockey at another private school, St Vincent’s in Potts Point, according to that school’s website.
In an update to parents about noon on Thursday, school principal Julie McGonigle confirmed the news.
“I understand that this is a highly upsetting and concerning update, and I want to reiterate my support for our entire school community … Counselling support for all students is available,” she said.
“HSC and IB exams are continuing … are not impacted by the NSW Police investigation.”
“We have been working very closely with NSW Police through the night … Out of respect for the families of those involved we urge you not to speculate at this time or speak with any media. We must respect the NSW Police investigation.”
NSW government lends support, heart to family of school murder victim
NSW Premier Chris Minns described it as a “horrible, horrible crime” and “one of the worst that I’ve seen in my public life”.
On Friday the NSW government issued a statement of support to the family of Ms James.
Legislative Council Leader Penny Sharpe, the most senior government minister speaking on Friday, said the events were “devastating”.
“None of this is welcome, it’s devastating,” Ms Sharpe said on Friday when asked about the latest developments.
“NSW Police are doing their job, and we will support them to do that.
“It’s horrific. We are always thinking of families (in these situations), but also the first responders who continue to manage very difficult circumstances.”
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