CCTV shows suspected killer in hours after Lilie James’ murder

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CCTV footage has emerged of Paul Thijssen in the hours after he is suspected to have murdered co-worker Lilie James at a Sydney CBD school.

The security footage shows Thijssen, 24, arriving at Diamond Bay Reserve in the eastern suburb of Vaucluse at 8.47pm on Wednesday, an hour after James is believed to have been killed.

Over the next hour, he's seen walking down a path, before dumping the alleged murder weapon – a hammer – in a bin before driving off.

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CCTV showing Paul Thijssen after Lilie James' alleged murder.

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The video shows Thijssen sitting around the corner for the following two hours, before calling triple zero at around midnight to tell police about James' body at St Andrew's Cathedral School.

Operators traced the call, but when officers arrived at the scene, Thijssen was gone.

Police had wanted to speak to him about James' suspected murder, but earlier today, during their search for him, they found a body – believed to be Thijssen's – at the base of a cliff in Vaucluse.

They had been scouring the area after finding what they called "property" linked to James' death.

This morning a group of tradesmen working nearby alerted police to the body, located on the rocks beneath Diamond Bay Reserve at Vaucluse.

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Police began an operation to retrieve the body at 7.40am at the reserve and retrieved the body at about 12.15pm today.

The rescue and bomb disposal unit, marine unit and Westpac Rescue helicopter all assisted in the operation.

"The man has not been formally identified," NSW Police said in a statement.

It's understood the location of the body, coupled with the wet and windy weather in the area, caused complications.

James was found dead in the toilet section of the St Andrews Cathedral School gym area after a call to police prompted a welfare check.

Police said she had suffered serious head injuries in an "apparent" homicide.

9News understands she was attacked with a hammer.

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Early on Thursday morning, police found materials they believe were linked to the murder in Diamond Bay Reserve.

Police began searching the reserve and the waters off South Head.

Based on a phone call to police, the reserve was also thought to be Thijssen's last known location.

Thijssen, a former student of the school, had been working there as a sports assistant, while James was the school's water polo coach.

9News understands James and Thijssen had been dating for a few weeks before she called the relationship off.

Police said there was no official history of domestic violence between the pair.

Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.