One day after 21-year-old water polo coach Lilie James was found dead in an elite private school bathroom, her former boyfriend’s body was discovered by police more than 8km away.
James’ body was found with serious head injuries inside St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney’s city just before midnight on October 25, 2023, following a welfare check.
She had reportedly been in a relationship with a 24-year-old man for a few weeks in the lead-up to her death.
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He was wanted by police for questioning in relation to James’ death before his body was recovered from Vaucluse in Sydney’s eastern suburbs on October 28.
Police said they were not looking for any other suspects.
A coronial inquest will on Tuesday delve into the circumstances surrounding both deaths and broader issues such as coercive control and unacceptable behaviour in relationships.
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NSW state coroner Teresa O’Sullivan will consider issues such as the role of technology in relationships and how to improve public understanding of ways to identify damaging behaviour in relationships.
The inquest will focus particularly on relationships between young adults, such as James and her ex-boyfriend.
The coroner will also attempt to determine whether authorities could have intervened at any point before the pair died.
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In a colourful memorial service after her death, James was remembered by her family as “vibrant, outgoing, and very much loved by her family and friends”.
Sixty-four women were killed by violence in 2023, according to research group Counting Dead Women Australia.
Coercive control has been identified as a precursor to 97 per cent of intimate partner domestic violence homicides in NSW between 2000 and 2018.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
