The Sydney Morning Herald reported that ambulances and police arrived at Diamond Bay in Vaucluse just after 8am, sectioning off a part of the cliff with tape.
A police rescue crew recovered a body from the base of the cliffs in Vaucluse earlier this afternoon.
Local news reports stated that investigators have established a forensics tent in the area.
“A police operation is currently underway to retrieve a body in Vaucluse,” NSW Police said in an earlier statement. “No further information is available at this time.”
A police spokesperson did not confirm the identity of the body found.
James had been coaching students at the school on Wednesday afternoon. Just before midnight, emergency services found her body with “serious head injuries” according to The Daily Mail.
Thijssen was pictured in CCTV footage reportedly obtained by police, Thijssen and James are seen walking into the gym bathroom. Thijssen is then seen more than an hour later leaving the school alone, says news.com.au.
The Daily Telegraph states a fight is thought to have broken out between the pair at the school late on Wednesday evening.
“From her injuries, it was apparent that she was a victim of homicide,” Detective Superintendent Martin Fileman told local media.
Fileman said the scene was “quite confronting” for the first responders.
Paul Thijssen was seen in CCTV footage before he reportedly rang police. Photo / Facebook
James’ family said in a statement, “We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful Lilie James.
“She was vibrant, outgoing, and very much loved by her friends and family.
“We are tremendously grateful for the support of the community at this difficult time.”
Lilie James was water polo coach and the teacher killed at St Andrews. Photo / Facebook
DS Fileman said on Thursday morning they were investigating the possibility of whether Thijssen had committed suicide in the surrounding areas.
“We don’t want to make any assumptions of the fact that that person may have taken his own life, but that’s just another line of inquiry we’re looking at at the moment.”
News reports say that a team of investigators found an “item linked to the homicide” in the area.
