Dutch national wanted in Australian murder case

Australian police officers. Photo: Depositphotos.com

Australian police are looking for a Dutch national in connection with the death of 21-year-old sports coach Lilie James at the prestigious St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney, Australian media reported.

The woman was found lifeless in the school’s gym bathroom on Wednesday night. Police said she had suffered fatal head wounds, possibly caused by hammer blows.

James and Dutch national Paul Thijssen (24) had reportedly been in a brief relationship shortly before her death. Australian police are currently searching nearby cliffs and coastline for signs of Thijssen’s sports car.

Thijssen reportedly moved to Australia from the Netherlands in his teens. After completing his studies at a Dutch university he took up a up a post as cricket coach at St Andrew’s.

Thijssen had no history of interaction with police, the paper said. “There was nothing whatsoever to indicate any future trouble,” one person who knew him well at school told the Sydney Morning Herald, on condition of anonymity.

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