Lilie James, Water polo coach found murdered at St Andrew’s Cathedral School

Lilie James Death – Lilie James, the water polo coach tragically murdered and left in a campus restroom at a prestigious Sydney school, has been identified. Described as a talented dancer and swimmer with a promising future, Lilie James’s body was discovered in the gymnasium bathroom at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in the CBD.

Cause of death

Concern arose when she failed to return home, prompting a family member to contact the authorities around midnight on Wednesday. While the exact cause of her death is yet to be determined, the police have classified it as a homicide due to severe head injuries.

Reports indicate that the authorities are currently in search of Paul Thijssen, the head hockey coach at the same school, who reportedly went missing in the vicinity of Diamond Bay Reserve in Vaucluse, located in the city’s eastern suburbs.

Investigation efforts have been intensified in the area since early morning, with the involvement of detectives and helicopters. A silver Lexus was towed away from the location, and the authorities were seen examining a bin and collecting potential evidence, including what seemed to be a pair of Apple AirPods.

As of Thursday morning, detectives were in discussion with school officials in the school foyer, while forensic officers awaited further developments outside. It is believed that the school staff initially contacted the police regarding the distressing incident.

Who was Lilie James?

Lilie spent her childhood in Kogarah, a suburb in the southern region of Sydney, alongside her parents and younger brother. Currently enrolled at the University of Technology, she was on track to complete her Bachelor of Management in sports business this year. In 2019, she had emerged as a standout in swimming, clinching victory in an under-17 tournament.

On the social media profiles of her parents, one could find an array of snapshots capturing her accomplishments, spanning from early dancing awards during her primary school years to the significant moment when she obtained her learner’s permit in 2018. A poignant image showed a 16-year-old Lilie proudly posing with a yellow L-plate in front of her family car in Kogarah.

An obituary is not available at this time for Lilie James.

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