A coronial inquest will delve into the circumstances surrounding the murder of 21-year-old Lilie James, whose body was found in a bathroom at an elite private school in Sydney in 2023.
James, 21, was killed by 24-year-old Paul Thijssen, who she had been in a short relationship with for a few weeks before her death. Her body was found with serious injuries by police who were conducting a welfare check just before midnight on October 25, 2023.
James was a water polo coach at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. Thijssen also worked at the school.
Thijssen had been wanted for questioning in relation to James’ death, but two days later police found his body on the rocks at the bottom of a cliff at Vaucluse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
On Tuesday, the NSW state coroner Teresa O’Sullivan will hear the details of Thijssen’s attack on James, with the inquest reportedly set to explore coercive control and abusive relationships, while attempting to determine whether authorities could have intervened at any point before James was killed.
Just days after her death, James’ grandmother Barbara Adelt paid tribute to her granddaughter on 2GB, describing her as a “beautiful, beautiful young woman” who was “so full of life”.
“I remember the day she was born, bright as a button coming out and never stopped since then – just kept learning and having fun,” she said.
“She had a lot of fun, Lilie, and she was so kind to everybody else.”
Almost half of all homicides in NSW last year were domestic violence-related, according to new figures out today by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.
Last year, the NSW Coroner revealed that almost one-third of homicides in NSW between 2000 and 2022 happened within a context of domestic violence. Almost two-thirds of women who were killed in a domestic violence context during this period were killed by either their ex-partner, or while undergoing a separation from their male partner.
If you are concerned about your behaviour, or about someone using violence, call Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.
If you or someone you know is in need of help due to sexual assault or family and domestic violence contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
In an emergency call 000.