Devastated students at an elite Sydney school have left heartbreaking letters after a young teacher was brutally beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend.
Water polo coach Lilie James was discovered in the gym bathroom at the exclusive St Andrew’s Cathedral School, located in Sydney’s CBD, on October 25.
The 21-year-old was bludgeoned to death with a hammer by her ex-boyfriend and colleague Paul Thijssen, 24, after she ended their whirlwind five-week relationship.
Several hours later, Thijssen phoned police to confess before plunging to his death from the cliffs above Diamond Bay in Vaucluse in the eastern suburbs.
The days after her death, Ms James’ students left hundreds of letters, messages, cards and flowers at a makeshift memorial inside the school foyer.
Water polo coach Lilie James (pictured) was brutally bashed to death by her ex-boyfriend and colleague in the bathroom of St Andrew’s Cathedral School, in Sydney on October 25
days after her death, Ms James’ students left hundreds of letters, messages, cards and flowers at a makeshift memorial inside the school foyer
Students described Ms James as a ‘coach like no other’, with many describing the young woman as having boundless energy and a heat full of kindness
Students described Ms James as a ‘coach like no other’, with many describing the young woman as having boundless energy and a heart full of kindness.
‘Lilie was not just a coach, she was a sister, a friend, and a daughter she was a beacon of inspiration, transforming every training session into a remarkable journey of joy and growth adding new fun ways to learn skills,’ one student wrote in a letter obtained by The Daily Telegraph.
Another student said Ms James turned every bus ride to and from water polo into an ‘enjoyable and inclusive’ experience by fostering a ‘warm and inviting atmosphere for all.’
‘Lilie had a unique gift for turning sweat and effort into smiles and laughter for all who were involved,’ another student wrote.
‘Every training session with Lilie was an adventure, a moment to look forward to.’
Others claimed Ms James was a teacher who every student could rely on to talk to ‘no matter what it was about’.
Ms James was also described as an incredibly positive and supportive teacher who made a ‘significant impact’ on those she coached.
‘She was one of the reasons that I loved water polo,’ one heartbroken student wrote.
Another student said they felt ‘privileged’ to be taught by Ms James and wished her to ‘sleep in heavenly peace’.
Ms James was killed inside the staff bathroom at St Andrew’s Cathedral School after returning sport equipment following a session with students.
Investigators believe the murder of Ms James was not a crime of passion but a premeditated attack by her ex-boyfriend and colleague Thijssen.
Thijssen, a former student of the elite school, was captured on CCTV footage buying a hammer at a hardware store in the city’s east, not far from his Kensington home, on the morning of the attack.
Ms James was also described as an incredibly positive and supportive teacher who made a ‘significant impact’ on those she coached
Investigators believe the murder of Ms James was not a crime of passion but a premeditated attack by her ex-boyfriend and colleague Thijssen
It’s understood the hammer was not the one used to kill Ms James.
Police believe Thijssen had two hammers, the other of which may have come from a school storeroom.
It’s understood the private school hockey instructor may have used Ms James’ thumb or face to unlock her phone to send a message to her father asking him to pick her up from the school.
Several hours later, Thijssen phoned police to confess before plunging to his death from the cliffs above Diamond Bay in Vaucluse in the eastern suburbs.
Police divers managed to recover Thijssen’s bloated and battered body from the rocks below the cliffs at Diamond Bay.
