Chilling text sent to Lilie James' father moments after her death
Heart-wrenching new details have emerged surrounding the tragic murder of 21-year-old water polo coach Lilie James on a school campus in Sydney. As students at St. Andrew's Cathedral School returned to their classrooms for the first time since the incident, the shocking revelation of a disturbing text message sent from the victim's phone has sent shockwaves throughout the community.
On the night of Wednesday, October 25, Lilie James was found dead with horrific head injuries inside the campus gymnasium toilets. The incident left the entire community in shock and disbelief. Paul Thijssen, a 24-year-old sports coach at the same school, quickly became a person of interest in the investigation. He had been wanted for questioning in connection with the gruesome discovery.
What adds to the chilling narrative is the use of James' phone by her suspected killer. Thijssen sent a text message to the victim's father, asking him to come to the school to collect her. The contents of the message remain undisclosed, but the mere fact that the perpetrator used the victim's phone to communicate with her family has sent shivers down the spines of many.
Two days later, on Friday, a male body was discovered near the base of cliffs in Vaucluse, located in Sydney's east. Paul Thijssen was caught on CCTV in the vicinity just hours before he informed the police about the water polo coach's tragic fate.
James and Thijssen were known to have been in a relationship for several weeks leading up to her untimely death. Detectives investigating the case had initially considered the possibility that Thijssen might have taken his own life following James' murder, and as a result, they were not actively seeking other suspects.
As students returned to St. Andrew's Cathedral School, floral tributes began to pile up outside the institution. The community came together for an assembly to remember and honour Lilie James. Head of School Julie McGonigle expressed the grief and confusion that has enveloped the school community. The tragedy has left them grappling with the stark contrast between the individuals they thought they knew and the horrifying reality that unfolded.
In the face of such a traumatic event, counsellors have been made available to both teachers and students to provide emotional support and guidance.
Lilie James was described as "a ray of light", a young woman who was "so full of life" by those who knew her best. She was a dedicated student, a hardworking employee, and an enthusiastic coach in both swimming and water polo. Her grandmother, Barbara, shared her heartache, saying, "Some people come into this world, I think they're so special, and they don't stay long. That was my granddaughter."
As the community tries to make sense of this devastating loss, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up on behalf of Lilie James' family, raising more than $18,000 to support them during this difficult time.
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