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Murdered water polo coach Lilie James’ family believe her killer “wouldn’t take no for an answer” when she broke up with him just days before her death.

The beloved 21-year-old was found at St Andrew’s School in Sydney’s CBD in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Police believe she was murdered by colleague Paul Thijssen, who she had just ended a brief relationship with.

His body was later found at the base of cliffs near Diamond Bay Reserve in the city’s east.

Daniel Makovec, a friend of the family who launched a GoFundMe in Lilie’s honour, said Thijssen had “stolen everything from us”.

“She broke it off by the sounds of things, so he stole her from us, he took away everything, ripped us to piece”, he exclusively told the Daily Telegraph.

The GoFundMe page has already raised $9,700 in two days.

“Everyone who has been graced with the presence of Lilie will be broken forever,” the tribute reads.

“With tears streaming, numb with disbelief, this new journey is now a long one for the family. As close family friends, we will be grieving this loss forever.

“We look for your support and take this time to reflect on Lilie, Lilie’s love for family and friends. Please share far and wide, we feel your love and support in this trying time.”

Mr Makovec, who said the family was initially reluctant to launch a fundraiser, spoke of the “emotional stress” now placed on everyone who knew Lilie.

“It’s not for today, nor for tomorrow, it’s for the future,” he said.

“The last 48 hours for us have been so full of laughter ­remembering her and her ­bubbly, beautiful personality — and full of tears.

“She was a beautiful girl who just literally filled the room up with smiles. And now it’s nothing but absolutely emotional stress.”

Flowers have been laid outside the school as the community grieves Ms James, who has been remembered as a “vibrant” and “outgoing” person.

Ms James’ father, Jamie, said the family was “devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our beautiful Lilie James” in a statement to NCA NewsWire.

“She was vibrant, outgoing and very much loved by her friends and family,” he said, stopping multiple times to gather himself.

“We are tremendously grateful for the support of the community at this difficult time.”

A statement from the James family described the 21-year-old as a “loving beautiful girl filled with love for family and friends, focused and determined for her love of teaching and helping others.”

A distraught family friend, who asked not to be named, told the ABC the family were “in disbelief and need answers and time”.

Fresh claims about the man who callously murdered Ms James at St Andrew’s Cathedral School have surfaced, with students recalling his “creepy” behaviour toward them.

Mr Thijssen, 24, murdered the school water polo coach in a bathroom at the prestigious Sydney school.

The pair worked at the school and briefly dated, but the relationship ended about a week ago.

Now students have recalled to the Saturday Telegraph how the former sports assistant used to “boast” about his relationship with Ms James, among other behaviours that made them uncomfortable.

Speaking exclusively to the paper, students described Mr Thijssen as a “creep who was flirtatious with the girls” at the school.

“He had a wandering eye and flirtatious personality which unsettled young girls in the sports team,” one student exclusively told the Saturday Telegraph.

“I am absolutely shocked by the circumstances but there’s no doubt that he was a creep.”

Mr Thijssen was called “arrogant” by former peers – he attended the school and graduated in 2017 – who noted he was “hated” by boys and liked by girls.

A search at Vaucluse commenced after police traced a triple-zero call from him to the area.

He reportedly called police from the notorious suicide spot, informing them there was a body at the school.

Security cameras captured Mr Thijssen, dressed in black, arriving at Chris Bang Crescent in Vaucluse at 8.47pm. He was later seen walking along the cliffside footpath at 9.03pm.

He is seen approaching a bin, which police sources allege he may have dumped the hammer he allegedly used as a murder weapon, the publication reports.

Ten minutes later, he is seen returning to his car, where he sat before driving to another clifftop location.

Ms James and Thijssen met at the school on Wednesday night, where a fight ensued.

CCTV footage from the school, obtained by police, reportedly shows Thijssen following Ms James into the gym bathroom before he is seen leaving the area over an hour later, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Four hours later, Mr Thijssen reportedly rang police to inform them of a body on school grounds which should be investigated.

Officers arrived at the school after Ms James’ family alerted police as she hadn’t returned home.

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