Slain St Andrew’s staffer identified
The body of a female staff member at St Andrew’s College in Sydney has been identified, just hours after she was found dead in the school’s gymnasium.
Lilie James, 21, was the water polo coach at the prestigious school, and was found dead with serious head injuries just before midnight on Wednesday.
Police are continuing their investigation into her alleged murder, while also searching for Ms James’ friend and colleague Paul Thijssen.
Mr Thijssen, who is also a sports coach at the college, is wanted for questioning by police, as it is believed he could help with inquiries into her “apparent” homicide.
On Thursday morning, police established a second crime scene near The Gap in Vaucluse that they believe is linked to Ms James’ death.
Superintendent Martin Fileman said, “We don’t want to make any assumptions of the fact that that person may have taken his own life, but that’s just another line of inquiry we’re looking at at the moment.”
Fileman also confirmed that the two school staffers were known to each other, saying, “There’s nothing to indicate that there was any domestic violence, any [apprehended violence orders] or anything between both of them,” he said.
A post-mortem examination has yet to be conducted to formally determine the cause of the woman’s death.
“From her injuries, it was apparent that she was a victim of homicide,” Fileman said.
“As you can probably imagine, it’s an extremely daunting experience, a very sad time for everybody. Not only the families, the students also who are turning up today to be confronted by this.”
The grim discovery was made after emergency services were called to the scene following reports of concern for the woman's welfare.
The Superintendent went on to say the crime scene at the elite school was "confronting" for the officers who found the body.
"Last night police from Sydney city police area command were responding to a welfare check and attended the school at St Andrew's cathedral where police located the body of a female in her early 20s in the gym area of the school," he said.
"From her injuries it was apparent she was a victim of a homicide.”
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