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A candlelight vigil has been held in Sydney's south to remember Lilie James as her former community grapples with grief.
The young water polo and swimming coach had just turned 21 when her body was found in the gymnasium bathroom of St Andrew's Cathedral School before midnight on Wednesday in an "apparent homicide".
Residents and community leaders from James' local area of Kogarah Bay shared their memories of the coach at nearby Sans Souci today.
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As they gathered in grief and disbelief, they all lit candles for James – the third woman in the area lost to domestic violence this year, the 55th victim in Australia – on the eve of a rally against domestic violence being held in Sydney on Sunday.
"I have grandchildren who are getting up to that age, you want the world to be happier and safer for them," one resident told 9News.
The tears and flowers continued to flow at St Andrew's Cathedral School, where James worked, on Saturday.
A card from the Danebrook Aquatic Centre, where the coach was a champion swimmer, read "fly high beautiful girl".
"We will always remember your sweet smile and gorgeous nature," the card said.
"You will never be forgotten."
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Meanwhile, her best friend Kristina described James her as "sister" and her "everything".
"I love you more than anything in this entire world," she said.
"We had so much planned together, so much to do and so much to experience. You will forever be my angel above."
On Friday, a body believed to be suspected killer Paul Thijssen – a former student at the school who had been working there as a sports assistant and who briefly dated James – was found in the water off Vaucluse.
The same day detectives visited his share house in Kensington and took items from his room.
Neighbours said he had lived there for a few months with several flatmates.
A special assembly will be held for students when they return to school on Monday morning.
There will also be additional counsellors on site while several exams have been cancelled and the sports centre where James was found will remain off limits.
If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
If you are in immediate danger call triple zero (000).
