WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Before murdering his ex-girlfriend Lilie James in an act of sickening violence, callous Paul Thijssen meticulously set about planning how he would end her life, even rehearsing his attack in ‘dry runs’
Remembered as a woman who “it seemed … could do anything”, Lilie James was well-liked by staff and pupils at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, and her death sent shockwaves throughout the local community and beyond.
Tragically, it was on the grounds of this Sydney-based private school that 21-year-old Lilie was horrifically murdered by her ex-partner Paul Thijssen, who’d rehearsed his evil crime in “dry runs”. Thijssen and Lilie, who both worked as sports assistants at St Andrew’s, had been involved in a casual two-month relationship, which Lilie had chosen to end five days before her murder in October 2023.
The inquest has heard how, on October 21, Lilie had confided in a friend that she “didn’t want to be in a meaningless relationship with Paul” and had wanted to “have a break from boys”.
She had no idea then, as she headed to water polo practice on October 25, 2023, that 23-year-old Thijssen had plotted her murder in a meticulously callous manner, even rehearsing the assault several times before launching his attack.
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The inquest, which began this week, saw harrowing footage of Thijssen entering the school bathroom where he would later attack Lilie, wielding a hammer in his right hand. The Guardian reports that he then exited the bathroom before practising once again, this time switching the hammer to his left hand, as he seemingly deliberated how he would approach the vicious assault. He later blocked off one of the adult bathrooms that required a key to get into.
As reported by 9News, counsel assisting Jennifer Single SC told the court: “No matter how many times you see that footage, it is not easy to watch.” She added: “It was not a momentary loss of control – it was a premeditated killing.”
Chilling CCTV footage shows Thijssen – who was employed as a sports coach and after-hours coordinator – waiting for hours in the gym staffroom until Lilie arrived back from water polo training with pupils on a bus, at 7.11pm.
On two occasions, Thijssen was spotted checking that Lilie’s car was still in the car park and that he hadn’t missed her return. He was also seen using a master key to lock automatic doors, preventing cleaners from accessing the gym and potentially disturbing his attack.
As noted by Single, when Lilie returned from practice, she was seen “smiling and interacting with Paul”, and “there was no indication as to what he was going to do”. Sporty Lilie had intended to partake in a water polo match that evening and so had headed back to the gym to change into her swimsuit.
After entering the staffroom, Lilie headed to the bathroom with her swimming gear. Acknowledging a sign advising one of the bathrooms was being cleaned, she entered the next bathroom. The placement of this sign was a strategic move on Thijssen’s part, with the killer deliberately luring her into the bathroom he’d already factored into his plan.
Once Lilie was in the bathroom, Thijssen returned to the staffroom and collected his backpack, before walking over to the bathroom, clutching the hammer in his right hand. After standing outside for two minutes, he then lunges into the toilet. He would emerge one hour later, having inflicted 25 blunt-force injuries to Lilie’s neck and head, in an act that was described as “overkill” by Single.
Lilie had also suffered broken bones and abrasions on her hands and arms, which were determined to be consistent with defensive injuries. After killing Lilie, Thijssen died by suicide in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Two days later, his body was recovered from the ocean.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr Danny Sullivan, who also provided expert testimony, told the inquiry: “I don’t see signs of mental disorder. He had formed a hatred of Miss James based on the fact that she had rejected him – and he punished her by killing her.”
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