Lilie James’s grandmother remembers her ‘beautiful, loyal’ granddaughter as the family faces a new tragedy – and St Andrews principal makes a touching gesture to students
Lilie James’ family are facing even more grief – with the aunt of the murdered water polo coach in hospital and ‘very ill’.
Ms James, 21, was found beaten to death in a gym bathroom at the elite private St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney’s CBD just before midnight on Wednesday.
Her suspected killer, school sports coach Paul Thijssen, 24, allegedly beat her to death in succession during the end of their five-week secret relationship.
Thijssen then drove to Vaucluse in Sydney’s east, where he alerted police before throwing himself to his death from the cliffs at Diamond Bay.
Now Lilie’s grandmother, Barbara Adelt, has revealed that the family was already experiencing yet another heartbreak when Lilie was killed, but said they tried to stay strong despite the double blow.
“I have a daughter and she has been in the hospital for 10 weeks and is very sick,” she said Monday.
“I have to (stay strong). I have no choice here.’
The sad news emerged as Lilie’s school resumed on Monday morning and pupils were addressed by headteacher Dr Julie McGonigle.
Lilie James’ family faces more grief – murdered water polo coach’s aunt is in hospital and ‘very ill’
The sad news emerged as Lilie’s school resumed on Monday morning and pupils were addressed by St Andrew’s Cathedral School principal Dr Julie McGonigle.
Lovers have left touching flower arrangements at the entrance to the school where Lilie James’ body was found on Wednesday evening.
She also led a special counseling session with the students who had been coached by Lilie or her suspected killer.
“We are aware that this process is extremely difficult for them and want to acknowledge that and provide immediate assistance,” parents were told in an email from the school.
Lilie’s grandmother broke her silence to thank the community following the outpouring of grief over the death of her beloved young granddaughter.
“Some people come into this world, I think they’re so special and they don’t stay long,” she told 2GB’s Ben Fordham. ‘Now I think it was my granddaughter.
‘I remember the day she was born, clear as a button and never stopped since. I just kept learning and having fun. She really had a lot of fun.
“And she was so nice to everyone.”
Ms Adelt revealed how Lilie had befriended a new, recently arrived immigrant classmate – despite pressure from others.
“Some other girls weren’t nice to Lilie because of that,” said the proud grandmother. ‘They might want to think about that.
“She was the most loyal person. Very loyal. Just a beautiful person. A beautiful, beautiful young woman and so full of life, she never stopped.”
But she said Lilie’s family was still looking for answers behind her brutal murder.
“We just can’t understand why,” she said. “Why did this happen to her?”
Ms Adelt said the family were very grateful for all the support they had received following Lilie’s murder – and joked that her granddaughter would have lapped up the attention.
“I would say to her, ‘Look, Lilie, they’re all coming out for you.’ She would love that. She would,” Ms. Adelt said.
‘Just incredible. The people were just absolutely wonderful.”
Lilie’s ex-boyfriend allegedly used his role in a school’s sports department to get her alone on the night of the murder.
Investigators believe Thijssen had known he would meet Lilie at school on Wednesday evening when she returned the sports equipment after a coaching session.
Investigators believe Paul Thijssen knew he would meet Lilie James (pictured) at St Andrews Catholic School on Wednesday evening as she returned sports equipment after a coaching session
Just hours after the horrific attack, Thijssen (pictured) called Triple Zero to report where her body was and is believed to have terminated his own
Thijssen was a hockey coach at the school and was hired to manage equipment returns in the sports department.
Part of Thijssen’s duties was to be at the school when coaches returned from various locations in the city to drop off equipment, it was reported Monday.
Because of this role, Thijssen would have known that he would see Mrs. James on the night of the brutal murder.
Thijssen’s last moments were captured on CCTV as he walked calmly down a street, less than two hours after he allegedly killed Mrs James.
He was seen arriving at Chris Bang Crescent in Vaucluse in his silver Lexus at 8.47pm on Wednesday. About 15 minutes later, security cameras recorded him walking steadily along the sidewalk.
He then threw the hammer he allegedly used to hit Ms James into a rubbish bin before returning to his car.
Thijssen stayed in his car until 9:49 p.m. and then drove to another location nearby, where he waited for two hours before calling the police.
Thijssen is accused of killing Mrs James (pictured) with a hammer on Wednesday evening after breaking off their five-week relationship
Just hours after the attack, Thijssen (pictured) called Triple Zero, who was tracked to The Gap in Sydney’s east, to tell them where they would find Ms James’ body.
His body was found around 8am on Friday when construction workers spotted a body in the water at the foot of a cliff, near the Diamond Bay Reserve, where officers had previously searched for Dutch-born Thijssen.
Authorities worked to retrieve the body from the water on Friday morning, using a Westpac rescue helicopter and a police jet ski.
The man’s body, which appeared naked, battered and bloated, lay among the rocks at the base of the cliff.
Police have now confirmed that the remains are Thijssen’s, after cross-referencing fingerprints and prints from the Dutch embassy.
While authorities tried for hours to remove the body from the harsh conditions, police emerged from Thijssen’s apartment with two bags of evidence.
Daily Mail Australia has been told that Thijssen had been living in the cramped flat since August with his old school friend who works in exercise physiology.
Police faced harsh weather conditions on Friday after a body was found near Diamond Bay, near where Thijssen reportedly plunged to his death.
The body was later identified as that of Thijssen after cross-referencing fingerprints with prints from the Dutch embassy
As the school community mourned the beloved water polo coach, Mrs James’ grieving family broke their silence to pay tribute to their ‘vibrant’ daughter.
“We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful Lilie James,” they said in a statement.
‘She was lively, outgoing and very loved by her friends and family.
“We are extremely grateful for the community’s support during this difficult time.”
A source close to the family told Daily Mail Australia that everyone around Ms James is ‘completely numb’.
“It’s numbing – there are no other words that can describe the pain we are in,” they said.
“Everyone is completely numb.”
Ms James, who studied sports business at the University of Technology, is described as ‘lively, outgoing and much loved by her friends and family’
Ms James studied sports business at the University of Technology and graduated from Danebank Anglican School in 2020, while coaching part-time at St Andrew’s.
Supt Fileman said the circumstances of the death would also be confronting for the students because school staff were involved.
“We are currently working with the school to ensure the wellbeing of the students and they have put measures in place to ensure those students are taken care of,” he said.
Meanwhile, online tributes are pouring in for the talented young dancer, actor and swimmer whose life was tragically cut short.
“There was nothing you couldn’t do, pretty girl. Fly high Lil, we will miss you forever,” said a friend.
“Lilie was the most kind, caring, funny and supportive friend around,” another friend wrote.
‘I could never have imagined that we would lose our friend under these circumstances. Our world is so cruel. Thanks for the memories and the good times Lilie.’
For confidential support, call Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14 or 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732