EXCLUSIVE
The principal of the school where 21-year-old sports assistant Lilie James was found murdered has written a powerful letter to parents condemning the ‘horror and evil’ that took place on the site.
Facebook posts have emerged shedding light on the alarming behavior of her suspected killer Paul Thijssen as the Dutch-born 24-year-old sought an Australian visa.
Ms James was found beaten to death in a gymnasium at St Andrew’s Cathedral School just before midnight on Wednesday.
Police suspect her ex-boyfriend and colleague Thijssen, 24, killed her after breaking off their brief, secret relationship before driving to the Vaucluse cliffs.
A trader saw a body in the water at the foot of the cliff around 8 a.m. on Friday. It was picked up around noon. It has yet to be formally identified.
As the community of St Andrew’s comes to terms with the tragedy, principal Julie McGonigle sent a letter to parents on Friday pledging to support the James and Thijssen families and that this would not ‘define’ the community.
Lilie James (pictured), 21, was found dead with horrific head injuries at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in the city’s CBD around midnight on Thursday morning after her father contacted police when she did not return home.
Paul Thijssen, a Dutch-born former student of the school, is suspected of killing her after she ended their brief relationship
She wrote: ‘We are deeply concerned for the families directly involved in this incident and I am personally committed to tailoring our communications to what is respectful of them and working closely with NSW Police.
“I will not move at a pace that ignores these priorities.
“Thank you sincerely for the love and support you generously provide 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 joining me in this commitment.”
The school is closed for two days, with the exception of students taking exams. The gym remains a crime scene.
Dr.’s powerful statement McGonigle comes amid Facebook posts in which Thijssen boasts of relentlessly harassing Australian authorities every day for a working holiday visa.
In December 2021, the hockey coach, who is originally from the Netherlands, revealed he had successfully secured a visa in Australia after bombarding the federal government with daily emails.
“Hello everyone, I just want to spread good news,” he wrote in a group dedicated to foreigners living Down Under.
‘I applied for my 2nd 417 WHV from Europe last Monday and was awarded it today.
‘I emailed the working holidays department every day after I applied and I suspect this may have helped.
Police went to the gymnasium (photo) on Wednesday evening after Lilie did not return home
The principal emailed parents Friday morning promising to support the families involved in the tragedy
Thijssen bragged about being pushy with Australian authorities while trying to get a working holiday visa approved in 2021
“I just want to encourage you to keep hoping, they are definitely approving new applications now!”
While some commenters asked for advice on what to write, another said she thought it was “funny.” Thijssen persistently contacted the authorities.
Lilie James’ family breaks their silence
As the school community mourns 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.”
A body has been found in the water near Diamond Bay Reserve (pictured), in Vaucluse, Sydney’s eastern suburbs
Police and emergency services were present on site on Friday morning
A man could be seen putting on a harness as officers prepared to winch him off the rocks
A jet ski could be seen hovering on the rocks as the rider waited for a boat to arrive on the scene
Workers at a construction site in the Vaucluse called police around 8am on Friday after making the gruesome discovery, near the Diamond Bay Reserve, where officers had previously searched for Thijssen.
Ms James was reported missing to police on Wednesday evening when she failed to return to her family’s home in Kogarah Bay, in Sydney’s south. She was later found beaten with a hammer.
Thijssen, with whom she had been in a secret relationship for weeks, later called Triple Zero and told the operators that there was a body in the school gym that they needed to investigate. Some of his belongings were found on the cliff.
Authorities worked to retrieve the body from the water on Friday morning, using a Westpac rescue helicopter and a police jet ski.
The body, which appeared naked, battered and bloated, lay among the rocks at the base of the cliff.
As Mrs James’ family and friends try to cope with their ‘eternal grief’, police are desperately trying to piece together the events of the tragic night.
Chief Inspector Martin Fileman said officers were presented with a “confronting” scene when they arrived at the school due to the severity of her injuries.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out to determine the cause of death.
Detectives are talking to witnesses and combining CCTV footage from the school to determine what led to the murder.
Mr. Thijssen graduated from the school in 2017 and worked there as an assistant sports coach, according to his Linkedin profile.
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.
A silver Lexus sedan was towed from the Diamond Bay Reserve on Thursday
Relatives and friends gathered outside James’ home on Thursday, while her father Jamie James (left) declined to comment and said he needed to speak to police
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