Details emerge about horror school killing as police search for alleged attacker

Disturbing details have emerged about the Sydney school killing, as more light is shed on the relationship between the young woman and the missing man.

Details have emerged about the horror killing of a young water polo coach who was found dead in a bathroom in an elite school.

Lilie James, 21, was found dead at St Andrew’s Cathedral School on Kent Street, in the CBD, just before midnight on Wednesday.

Police are now believed to be on the hunt for Paul Thijssen, a colleague and Facebook friend of Ms James.

The pair reportedly dated for five weeks but had recently split up with Ms James ending the relationship, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Lilie James, 21, is a water polo coach who was killed at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. Picture: Facebook

Mr Thijssen worked as a sports coach and assistant at St Andrew’s.

He had been a sports captain as a student at the prestigious school, graduating in 2017.

Emergency services had gone to the school after Ms James’ family alerted police as she hadn’t returned home.

Upon arrival police found her body in a bathroom in the gym area of the school.

“As you can probably imagine, it’s an extremely daunting experience, a very sad time for everybody. Not only the families, the students also who are turning up today to be confronted by this,” Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said on Thursday.

A second crime scene has been established near The Gap at Vaucluse, where police are searching for Mr Thijssen.

Superintendent Fileman said they were investigating whether Mr Thijssen had killed himself after disappearing in the Vaucluse area.

The young woman has been identified as the victim. Picture: Facebook

Police are on the hunt for colleague Paul Thijssen. Picture: Supplied

Police are seen at the cliff tops at Diamond Bay on Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Mr Thijssen graduating in 2017. Picture: Facebook

Who was Lilie James?

Lilie James was a student at University of Technology Sydney having graduated from Danebank Anglican School for Girls in 2020.

She excelled at drama and sport, with her mother Peta sharing numerous Facebook photos celebrating her achievements which included winning an u-17 swimming tournament in 2019.

Lilie grew up in the south of Sydney and had one brother, Max.

Ms James graduated from Danebank Anglican School for Girls in 2020. Picture: Facebook

Flowers were left outside St Andrew’s Cathedral School in tribute to Ms James. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Mystery item found

Early on Thursday investigators also found “an item linked to the homicide” in the Vaucluse area, Superintendent Fileman confirmed.

There is no indication of a history of domestic violence between the two people, Mr Fileman said before confirming staff members had been called in the early hours of Thursday after the “extremely daunting experience” for detectives who arrived at the scene.

Police are desperately hunting for Mr Thijssen after reports he disappeared from the Vaucluse area early on Thursday. Picture: Facebook

Police comb a St Andrew’s Cathedral School Building for details. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

More police were seen arriving at the school at midday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

A crime scene has been established at The Gap in Vaucluse as the search for Mr Thijssen continues

The school will be closed on Thursday and Friday, with a message to parents assuring them no students were involved in the incident.

Police were seen at the school carrying evidence bags.

The body of a woman was found in St Andrew’s Cathedral School Building next to Sydney Town Hall overnight. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

A man is seen inside the school on Thursday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Police were seen carrying forensic bags on Thursday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

A helicopter is seen flying over South Head peninsula. Picture: Jackie Findlater/Facebook

“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.”

Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

There was a large police presence in the city on Thursday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

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.

Investigators are at the scene on Thursday morning. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

An officer standing inside the school as the investigation gets underway. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

According to The Daily Telegraph, parents were told of the incident via text.

“Year 12 exams will be held in BBC as normal. Year 5 camp will continue as normal.

A further text message said: “Update: No students were involved in the incident.

“Police are currently investigating and we will keep you updated,” the text told parents.

Police are continuing to liaise with school officials.

Anyone with information which could help the investigation is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Details emerge about horror school killing as police search for alleged attacker