Overview

• Lilie James, a 21-year-old water polo coach, was killed in a premeditated attack by her former boyfriend, Paul Thijssen, in October 2023 at St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney.
• Paul Thijssen meticulously planned the attack, including stalking James and rehearsing the murder in the days leading up to her death.
• Thijssen used James’ phone to send deceptive messages to her parents after her death, an act that highlights the role of technology in facilitating abuse.
• The inquest is focusing on coercive control, family violence, and whether authorities could have intervened to prevent the tragedy.
• James is remembered by her family and friends as a vibrant and deeply loved individual, while the inquiry sheds light on broader societal issues surrounding intimate partner violence.