The key question Lily James’ parents have about their daughter’s tragic death: ‘There’s a lot of anger’

The parents of murdered water polo coach Lily James are understood to be taking legal advice over plans to sue St Andrews Cathedral College for gross negligence and breach of the duty of care owed to her as a staff member.

Ms James, 21, was beaten to death by a colleague and former boyfriend in a Sydney CBD school gym bathroom on the night of October 25.

Her heartbroken parents Jamie and Peta James are now considering suing the school for compensation over their daughter’s death. daily Telegraph Report.

They will also seek answers as to how Netherlands-born Paul Thijssen, 24, was able to kill his daughter without anyone seeing or hearing him.

It is understood James will also question why the elite inner-city school, where annual fees are $40,000, does not employ overnight security guards.

A close family friend said, ‘There’s a lot of anger out there, and a lot of unanswered questions for Jamie and PETA.’

‘They, like the rest of us, want to know how this could have happened inside a school of all places… As an employee they (the school) had a duty to protect Lily.’

Jamie and Peta James (pictured with Lily and her brother Max) are now considering suing St Andrews Cathedral School for compensation over their daughter’s death.

Parents of water polo coaches are also calling for increased security at the school to protect current and future students and teachers.

Thijssen and James both worked as sports coaches at St Andrews School and recently split after a brief five-week relationship.

Ms James was found dead with horrific head injuries after Thijssen followed her into the gym bathroom and beat her to death with a hammer at around 7pm.

Her body was not found until just before midnight, when her killer contacted authorities to confess before being driven to the rocks in the eastern suburbs.

At around 8am the following morning, workers at a construction site in Vaucluse discovered his body in the water beneath a rock near the Diamond Bay Reserve.

It comes just days after Ms James was farewelled at a moving memorial service at Denbank Anglican School in Hurstville, south of Sydney, on Friday morning.

In a statement, her father said he was very proud of his ‘independent, vivacious’ daughter who has always lived her life to the fullest.

He said Lily was ‘always on the go’ and that apart from studying she loved dancing and taking water polo lessons, supporting her brother Max.

“We can’t thank the community enough for their thoughts, prayers, generosity and messages during this difficult time,” the statement said.

‘From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for the many wonderful memories we shared with Lily.

‘Lily James we are so proud of you and thank you for spending a wonderful and busy 21 years together.’

Ms James’s father Jamie and brother Max were among those applauding at a service on Friday

Mr James is seen hugging an attendee after the service ended in Sydney’s south

In accordance with the wishes of Ms. James’s family, the memorial at Denbank was for friends and the school community only.

The service was livestreamed to St Andrews Cathedral School for students and teachers to watch together.

Students left flowers and heartfelt handwritten notes at St Andrews following Ms James’ death.

The 21-year-old was described as ‘a coach like no other’ and a young woman with boundless energy and a heart full of kindness.

Others claimed that Ms James was a teacher whom every student could trust to talk to ‘no matter what the subject’.

She was also described as an incredibly positive and supportive teacher who had a ‘significant impact’ on those she trained.

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