The Australian police are desperately looking for a Brabander who is believed to be involved in the brutal murder of 21-year-old Lilie James. The teacher was found dead on Thursday in a locker room at the private school where she taught in Sydney. From that moment on, the police are looking for her ex-boyfriend Paul T. (24), who went to high school in Best.
The 21-year-old water polo teacher was found dead in the dressing room of the prestigious St Andrew’s Cathedral School just before midnight local time on Wednesday evening. She suffered serious injuries to her head, among other things. Her father probably sounded the alarm when she didn’t come home. SkyNews Australia reports this. According to The Daily Mail, T. himself called the police hours after the murder.
‘Relationship ended’
Shortly after the discovery of the body, local authorities announced that they were urgently looking for 24-year-old Dutchman Paul T.. The two were said to have met on the school grounds on Wednesday evening.
The two knew each other through the prestigious private school in Sydney’s CBD. Students there pay between 21,000 and 37,000 Australian dollars in tuition fees per year (between 12,000 and 22,000 euros).
Lilie worked there as a water polo teacher, T. previously studied there and was active as a hockey coach for a while. Even now he would regularly help with chores at the school. Until recently, they were said to have had a ‘secret relationship’ for a short time, but that ended a few days ago.
Secondary school in Best
Paul T. attended the first part of his grammar school at the Heerbeeck College in Best. After moving to Australia with his parents, he finished high school there at St. Andrew’s. After obtaining his diploma, he temporarily returned to the Netherlands for a bachelor’s degree in business economics at the University of Utrecht. During that period he also worked in a brasserie in Den Bosch. At the beginning of 2020 he left for Australia again.
The police have been on a manhunt for hours. An investigation was also carried out in the town of Vaucluse, T.’s suspected place of residence. Items related to the murder were allegedly found there. According to 7News, it concerns a hammer and a set of AirPods. A car was also towed away.
Research is also being conducted at The Gap, a popular viewpoint near the cliffs on the water.