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The man suspected of murdering a young water polo coach on a school campus in Sydney sent a disturbing text to the victim’s father using her phone, 7NEWS can reveal.
New details about the moments after Lilie James, 21, was killed emerged on Monday as students at St Andrew’s Cathedral School returned to classrooms for the first time.
James, 21, was found dead with horrific head injuries inside the campus gymnasium toilets just before midnight last Wednesday, October 25.
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Using James’ phone, her killer messaged the victim’s dad, asking him to collect her from the school.
Paul Thijssen, a 24-year-old sports coach at the same school, had been wanted for questioning over the gruesome discovery.
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A male body was found near the base of cliffs at Vaucluse in Sydney’s east on Friday and has since been formally identified as Thijssen, who was filmed on CCTV in the area in the hours before he informed police the water polo coach’s body was at the school.
James and Thijssen are understood to have been in a relationship for several weeks before the death.
Detectives previously said they were looking at the possibility Thijssen had taken his own life after James’ death and they were not looking for any other suspects.
A body believed to be that of Paul Thijssen was found in the days after Lilie James’ death. Credit: Supplied
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The text message revelation emerged on the same day students began returning to school, which had been closed except for those sitting Year 12 exams.
Floral tributes piled up outside St Andrew’s on Monday morning as students, teachers and parents arrived and an assembly was held to honour James.
Head of School Julie McGonigle said the St Andrew’s community had been left with grief, shock and utter confusion because they knew both James and Thijssen.
“Our beautiful Ms James, a ray of light, and Mr Thijssen, whose actions are completely incongruent with who we knew,” she said.
Counsellors have been made available for teachers and pupils.
‘So full of life’
A GoFundMe campaign set up on behalf of James’ family has so raised more than $18,000.
Her grandmother Barbara was at a loss trying to “understand why this would happen to her”.
“(She was) so full of life and never stopped. She went to uni. She worked four-and-a-half days a week. She coached swimming. She coached water polo. She played water polo,” she told radio station 2GB.
“Some people come into this world, I think they’re so special and they don’t stay long. That was my granddaughter.”
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For further information about depression contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
— With AAP
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