A young water polo instructor found dead inside a prestigious school’s gym bathroom had a whirlwind romance with the man wanted for questioning over her death.
Lilie James, 21, was a staff member at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney’s CBD but was found with “serious head injuries” by police just after midnight on Thursday.
Police have now launched a full-scale hunt for her former lover and colleague, 24-year-old sports coach Paul Thijssen.
He is wanted for questioning by police.
According to an exclusive report by the Daily Telegraph, the pair had only broken up days ago after dating for five weeks.
The pair reportedly met up inside the school where they both worked on Wednesday night.
A close friend told Daily Mail Australia Ms James was in a “secret relationship” with “someone she shouldn’t have been” leading up to her death.
It’s understood Mr Thijssen moved to Australia from the Netherlands in 2015 to study at St Andrew’s.
He secured a job as a cricket and hockey coach at his former school after graduating.
Emergency services had gone to the school after Ms James’ family alerted police as she hadn’t returned home.
Police found her body in a bathroom in the gym area of the school.
A second crime scene has been established near The Gap at Vaucluse, the last known address of Mr Thijssen.
Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said on Thursday morning they were investigating whether he had killed himself in the Vaucluse area.
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 after the “extremely daunting experience” for detectives who arrived at the scene.
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.”
The media, which had gathered at the school’s entrance on Thursday morning, were asked to consider students who were returning to school today for their HSC exams.
“They’re going to be confronted by this when they turn up,” Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman said.
A crime scene was set up for forensic examination on Thursday morning.
Ms James’ death is being treated as suspicious; however, a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
“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 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 described the scene as “quite confronting” for first responders.
St Andrew’s Cathedral is a coeducational, independent school that caters to students from Kindergarten through to Year 12.
The Anglican school charges up to $36,770 per year in tuition fees. Founded in 1885 as a choir school for nearby St Andrew’s Cathedral, the school currently has over 1400 students.
In the 2022 HSC, 660 year 12 students sat 760 exams and received 72 distinguished achievements, ranking the school 157th in NSW.
– with NCA Newswire
