Former St Andrew’s Cathedral College principal, John Collier, has been slammed for an announcement that characterised Lilie James’ alleged assassin, Paul Thijssen, as “an absolute delight” and “a advantageous scholar”.
The assertion was launched as a part of a publication to college students and fogeys at Shore College in North Sydney, the place Collier is now headmaster.
“What’s chilling in regards to the tragedy which unfolded at St Andrew’s, the shock and grief of which can cascade for a very long time, is that the younger man involved was, in everyone’s estimation, an absolute delight,” he wrote within the letter, which was titled, Wanting within the Face of Savagery.
“He was not a monster; somewhat within the final 5 hours of his life, he dedicated a monstrous act which was in full contradiction to what everybody who knew him noticed in the remainder of his quick life,” he wrote.
Collier was principal on the elite Sydney CBD college between 2010 and 2022, and knew Thijssen as each a scholar of the college and later a workers member.
On October 25, simply after midnight, the physique of 21-year-old Ms James was present in a rest room close to the gymnasium on St Andrew’s campus.
In response to CCTV footage, Ms James and Thijssen, who had been each sport coaches on the college, met within the gymnasium constructing within the late night, when a combat broke out.
Video footage exhibits Thijssen following Ms James into the lavatory. An hour later he emerged alone.
The pair had been courting for 5 weeks and it’s understood that within the days earlier than her demise, Ms James broke off the connection.
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Shore principal writes Paul Thijssen was similar to the remainder of us
The Shore headmaster went on to say that Thijssen “gave the impression to be similar to the very best of us”.
“An hour earlier than he dedicated the atrocity, he was talking in a relaxed, pleasant mode with workers on the college.
“What led to his psychological disintegration? Was it a psychotic episode which was deeply out of character?”
Because the letter was printed by the ABC on Saturday, Collier and the college have copped backlash, with many saying the publication tried to “clarify away” Thijssen’s horrific alleged crime.
Shore College responds to controversy
A consultant from Shore College responded to the backlash, saying the college “understands the ache and struggling this incident has prompted, and our heartfelt sympathy stays with all these affected”.
Police imagine that Thijssen used a hammer to kill Ms James, then drove to Vaucluse and referred to as police to tell them there was a physique on the college campus.
Thijssen’s physique was discovered on the base of the cliffs two days after Lilie’s demise.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms James’ demise is ongoing.
Initially printed as ‘He was an absolute delight’: Principal’s surprising letter
