Inquest Reveals Premeditation in Lilie James' Murder by Ex-Boyfriend

Paul Thijssen's calculated actions, including rehearsing the attack, highlight systemic issues of coercive control and intervention failures.

Lilie James, a 21-year-old sports coach, was murdered in October 2023 by her ex-boyfriend, Paul Thijssen, in a premeditated attack at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
The inquest has uncovered that Thijssen rehearsed the murder, conducted surveillance on James, and purchased the hammer used in the attack days prior.
Thijssen exhibited a history of controlling and obsessive behavior in prior relationships, including stalking and hacking into ex-partners' social media accounts.
The inquest is examining broader societal issues such as coercive control, technology-facilitated abuse, and the failure of systems to identify and intervene in abusive relationships.
James is remembered as a vibrant and caring individual, with her tragic death sparking discussions on the need for reforms to address relationship violence.