Rates of violence against women under spotlight again after shocking death of 21-year-old Lilie James
Lilie James has been described as a bright and bubbly person by her friends. (Supplied)
It's a crime that has sent shock waves through a tight-knit Sydney community and left a family in disbelief.
It has also shone a light once more on women's safety in a country with appalling rates of violence against women.
When 21-year-old Lilie James failed to return home from work on Wednesday, police were called to carry out a welfare check at the young woman's workplace: a prestigious school in Sydney's inner city.
About the same time, police also received a triple-0 call from Ms James's colleague, 24-year-old Paul Thijssen.
Both worked as sport assistants at the school, and were believed to have been in a relationship for about five weeks.
Lilie James was a staff member at St Andrew's Cathedral College in Sydney's CBD. She was found dead there on October 26, 2023. (Supplied: Facebook)
The ABC understands that Mr Thijssen told police where they could find her body.
Police arrived at St Andrew's Cathedral School just before midnight on Wednesday, where they found Ms James inside the bathrooms near the gym.
Sustaining "serious" head injuries, police officers immediately launched a homicide investigation.
"The actual scene was quite confronting for the police that turned up," Superintendent Martin Fileman said.
The ABC understands NSW Police have reviewed CCTV footage taken from St Andrew's and have identified the pair's movements.
Police began searching for Mr Thijssen, and established a second crime scene at Diamond Bay Reserve in Vaucluse, where items "associated with the homicide" were found.
Loading...On Friday morning, police recovered a body.
The body has since been formally identified to be that of Mr Thijssen.
Police are searching for Paul Thijssen. (Supplied: LinkedIn)
Family shattered
Ms James's family is understandably distraught and has asked for privacy after releasing a statement.
"We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful Lilie James," the family said.
"She was vibrant, outgoing, and very much loved by her family and friends. We are tremendously grateful for the support of our community at this difficult time."
A family friend told the ABC that those close to the 21-year-old were enduring a "numbing and surreal" period of loss.
"A loving beautiful girl filled with love for family and friends, focused and determined for her love of teaching and helping others," the friend, who has asked not to be named, said.
"Everyone who has been graced with the presence of Lilie will be broken forever.
"As close family friends, we will be grieving this loss forever."
Lilie James, who was found dead at St Andrew's Cathedral School on October 25, 2023, in 2020 at her graduation. (Supplied: James family)
The head of school at St Andrew's said she was deeply concerned for the families directly affected by the incident.
"The horrors of evil, do not and will not define our community, that is my oath," Julie McGonigle wrote in a statement.
In a message to parents and carers, Dr McGonigle said police had assured her "this was a completely unforeseeable event".
Final year exams are being sat across the state. They follow a strict schedule and those that were to be held at the school over the past few days were moved to alternative locations.
The NSW Education Standards Authority said it was working closely with the school and exam staff and extended its sympathies to all those impacted by the suspected murder.
Flowers have been laid outside the Sydney school where Lilie James was found dead. ( ABC News: Tony Ibrahim )
The ABC understands students at the school will be eligible to apply for special exam consideration under the category of "illness/misadventure".
Violence against women in Australia
According to Our Watch, an independent organisation focused on the prevention of violence against women and children, one woman is murdered by a partner or ex-partner each week.
The organisation's chief executive, Patty Kinnersly, described violence against women in Australia as "a national crisis".
"The perpetrator of this violence is almost always male," she said.
"Violence against women is about power, control, and exclusion – but most importantly, it's preventable."
Crucial to prevention, she said, was equality.
"Everywhere we live, learn, work and socialise should be inclusive, equitable, and safe, for everyone," she said.
Data shows women aged 18 to 34 years are far more likely to experience higher rates of physical and sexual violence than those in older age groups.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, the rates of violence and homicide are far higher.
Our Watch suggests three in five women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by an intimate partner.
In 2022, state and territory governments released a revised national plan to end violence against women and children over the next 10 years.