The young water polo instructor found dead inside a prestigious Sydney school’s gym bathroom was allegedly killed with a hammer before she was discovered by police in a “confronting” scene.
Lilie James, a staff member at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney’s CBD, was found with “serious head injuries” by police just after midnight on Wednesday.
According to the Daily Mail, the 21-year-old, who had been dating her colleague Paul Thijssen, was allegedly bashed to death with a hammer.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports police sources not authorised to speak publicly on the investigation also suggested Ms James’ wounds were inflicted by the same item.
Cops have now launched a full-scale hunt for 24-year-old sports coach Paul Thijssen, who is also a former pupil of the school.
According to an exclusive report by The Daily Telegraph, the pair had only broken up days ago after dating for five weeks.
The publication states the pair are believed to have met up inside the school building on Wednesday night where a fight ensued.
CCTV footage obtained by police reportedly shows Mr Thijssen following Ms James into the gym bathroom, before he is seen leaving the area over an hour later, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Four hours later, Mr Thijssen reportedly rang police to inform them of a body on school grounds which should be investigated.
Officers soon arrived at the school after Ms James’ family alerted police as she hadn’t returned home.
Police traced the triple-zero call to The Gap, a notorious suicide spot in Vaucluse, where they found an abandoned backpack with some of Thijssen’s belongings.
Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said on Thursday morning they were investigating whether he had killed himself in the area.
Investigators also found “an item linked to the homicide”, 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 after the “extremely daunting experience” for detectives who arrived at the scene.
It’s understood Mr Thijssen – who comes from a privileged family – moved to Australia from the Netherlands in 2015 and began studying at St Andrew’s.
He had been a sports captain as a student, graduating in 2017.
Mr Thijssen later secured a job as a cricket and hockey coach after graduating.
He spent 18 months alone in Australia during the Covid pandemic, before reuniting with his family in the Netherlands, according to the Daily Mail.
An unmanned source told the publication the 24-year-old may have been affected by this dark time, however, noted he is “not psychotic”.
Parents of students were told of the “critical incident” via text message from the school.
“SACS is closed today and Friday (26-27 Oct) due to a critical incident. Yr12 exams will be held in BBC as normal. Yr5 camp will continue as normal. Mr Swibel,” it read.
An update later in the morning read: “No students were involved in the incident. Police are currently conducting an investigation in the SAH building. We will keep you updated. Mr Swibel.”
“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.”
Detective Superintendent described the scene as “quite confronting” for first responders.
– with NCA Newswire