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Footage of Lilie James’ killer in the lead-up to her brutal murder inside a Sydney school is expected to air at an inquest on Wednesday.
James, 21, died on the grounds of St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney’s CBD on October 25, 2023, when she was beaten to death by a hammer.
Her killer was her former boyfriend, and fellow teacher at the school Paul Thijssen, 24, who proceeded to kill himself by jumping from a cliff at Diamond Bay Reserve in Vaucluse.
A coronial inquest into their deaths revealed that Thijssen, a Dutch national and former St Andrews student, had stalked James in the days leading up to her murder and had practiced dry runs of the killing.
The court heard that in the days before her murder, James had broken off their casual relationship. The court was also informed that Thijssen had also stalked a previous girlfriend in the past.
He had also forged documents when applying to extend his working holiday visa, which was then provided to the Department of Home Affairs.
Video showed killer practising “three different times”
In footage that was played to the court on Tuesday, Thijssen was shown, on the day of the murder, practising quickly opening the door of the bathroom where he ultimately killed James. He was shown practising this three different times.
Counsel assisting Jennifer Single SC told the inquest the vision showed Thijssen “practising how he is going to enter the bathroom” during the attack.
Single told the court that Thijssen corralled James into the bathroom she specifically chose to murder her in. This is corroborated by footage of Thijssen placing a “cleaning in progress sign” outside one of the other bathrooms.
“Your Honour, it is submitted that after practising entering both bathrooms, Paul had by this stage decided to attack Lilie in bathroom one,” Ms Single told the court.
“We submit that Paul placed the cleaning in progress sign outside of bathroom three, to ensure Lilie did not use that bathroom, and to force her into the larger disabled bathroom where the attack in fact occurred.”
The court was also informed that Thijssen had stalked James on seven separate occasions in the six days leading up to the murder, driving to her house in Sydney in a hired car before returning home to Kensington.
On several occasions, he took photographs of cars that were parked outside her family home. Photos shown to the court revealed that Thijssen captioned the pictures with descriptions of the vehicle.
A CCTV also captured him driving to Allawah train station, where he stayed for an hour, with other footage showing James getting off at the same station.
Thijssen was also seen buying a hammer and duct tape at a hardware store on York St on Monday, October 10, 2023. The hammer was not used by him during the attack and was found in a school store room.
The inquest before coroner Teresa O’Sullivan continues.
If you or someone you know is facing sexual abuse or family violence, please reach out to the following helplines:
- National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
- Link2Home Emergency Accommodation: 1800 152 152
- Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline (LGBTIQA+ specific): 1800 497 212
- Family Violence Crisis and Support Service: 1800 608 122
- For immediate support, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.
- Men who are seeking support to change their behaviours, particularly those facing anger or relationship challenges can reach out to the Men’s Referral Service at 1300 766 491
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