A disturbing case has come to light as the coronial inquest examining the murder of Lilie James continues to reveal chilling details about her brutal encounter with former boyfriend Paul Thijssen at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, where she worked as a beloved teacher and sports coach. James, 21, was killed on October 25, 2023, after Thijssen, also her colleague, attacked her with significant force, leading to her untimely death.
During the opening day of the coroner’s inquiry, counsel assisting the coroner, Jennifer Single SC, provided shocking insights. The court learned from CCTV footage how Thijssen, who later took his own life, premeditated the murder through rehearsals. “The preparation was calculated, it was not a momentary loss of control, it was a premeditated killing,” Single stated. This shocking claim highlights the extent of Thijssen's obsession leading up to the attack.
Evidence presented to the court outlined how Thijssen stalked James on seven separate occasions leading up to her murder. On the day of the attack, he was seen practicing how to enter the bathroom where he planned to commit the crime. Prosecutors revealed he placed ‘cleaning in progress’ signs deliberately to drive her toward the targeted bathroom. Such preparation showcased Thijssen's sinister intent.
Thijssen's dangerous behavior began to manifest shortly after James ended their brief relationship just days before the murder. Friends testified about James expressing her feelings of discomfort and unsafety around Thijssen. According to witness accounts, days before her death, they had engaged in heated arguments, raising alarms about his controlling tendencies. “I didn’t feel safe around Thijssen and was weirded out by him,” James confided to her ex-boyfriend at a birthday party, making her concerns evident to those close to her.
Continuing to build the case against Thijssen, the investigation exposed his deceptive past. The court learned he was living in Australia under false pretenses, having forged letters of reference and other documents to secure his work visa. His history of obsessive behavior extended beyond James; several testimonies revealed he had exhibited similar controlling tendencies with previous partners. These revelations prompt the inquiry's focus on the broader societal issues of coercive control and unhealthy relationships.
Heartbreaking details of the days leading up to her death emerged during the hearings. On October 25, 2023, around 8:30 PM, James sent alarming messages to her father, pleading for him to come pick her up from the school. The chilling texts read, “Don’t ask why or call; please come to the school now and pick me up,” raising suspicions about whether they were sent by James or Thijssen under duress. The messages indicated she was likely aware of the imminent danger she faced.
The court was also presented footage of Thijssen engaging with James just five days before her death. He was seen pushing her during a confrontation, culminating two days later when he stalked her at the party, waiting outside before following her home with her friends. Such alarming actions culminated with him purchasing items, including duct tape, days prior. Although cameras captured him buying a hammer at York Street hardware, it was later discovered left untouched during the murder. This redundancy highlighted the extent of Thijssen's planning and psychological manipulation.
Adding more layers to the plot were reports from Thijssen's previous relationships. One ex-girlfriend described feeling “suffocated,” “pressured,” and under constant scrutiny during their time together, describing occasions when he would lurk outside her workplace or monitor her Snapchat activity. Meanwhile, another ex told the court how Thijssen once expressed frustration over the end of their relationship by punching nearby trees, showcasing his incapacity to control his aggression and rejection.
Details are slowly unraveling as the inquiry continues, focusing on coercive control and the refusal to address emotionally abusive relationships as societal issues. Various witnesses, including eSafety Commissioner Julie Grant, are set to take the stand to provide valuable insights during this three-day investigation. Thijssen’s actions resonate beyond the personal tragedy of James’s murder, emphasizing necessary dialogues on mental health, gender violence, and the severe impacts of harassment.
This inquiry has far-reaching ramifications not just for the parties involved but for society at large, highlighting the pressing need for stronger measures to tackle unhealthy relationship patterns. With future testimonies expected to shed light on this deeply troubling case, the family of Lilie James seeks not only justice but clarity around issues underpinning her tragic death. “Lilie was vibrant, outgoing, and very much loved by her family and friends,” her parents reflected during the memorial after her death, reminding everyone of the bright spirit lost too soon.
